Korean Journal of Gastrointestinal Motility  2000;6(2):180-187

Characteristics of Transient Lower Esophageal Sphincter Relaxation in Healthy Korean Adults.

Byung Won HUR 1 ; Chi Wook SONG ; Hye Rang KIM ; Yun Bae KIM ; Chang Don KANG ; Jung Whan LEE ; Yoon Tae JEEN ; Hoon Jai CHUN ; Soon Ho UM ; Sang Woo LEE ; Jai Hyun CHOI ; Chang Duck KIM ; Ho Sang RYU ; Jin Hai HYUN

Affiliations

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Keywords

Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation; Gastroesophageal acid reflux; Esophageal manometry

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (tLESR) is the main cause of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in both healthy subjects and patients with GER disease. Unfortunately, we have no data on tLESR and its relationship with GER in Korea. Therefore, this study was performed to evaluate the characteristics of tLESR in Korean subjects and the mechanisms of GER after Korean meals. METHODS: Eight healthy volunteers (8 men, 23 to 25 yrs) received a Korean meal (laver-rolled rice, fried egg, sweet rice juice, 640 Kcal). A mylohyoid electromyogram, LES pressure using a Dent sleeve and esophageal pH were simultaneously recorded for 1 hour while fasting and 3 hours after the meal. We compared the manometric profile of swallow-induced LES relaxation (sLESR) with the manometric profile of tLESR and evaluated the frequency of tLESR and reflux episodes, and their relationship. RESULTS: Compared with sLESR, tLESR showed longer time onset to completion, slower relaxation rate, longer duration of relaxation, and a lower nadir pressure. Incidence of tLESR increased after the meal, which was mostly accompanied by GER. Also, the frequency of GER increased after the meal, which mostly occurred during tLESR. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that tLESR is a main cause of GER in healthy Korean adults, which is a similar result to studies of Westerners.