Esophageal motility disorders in diabetics.

Objective: To see the presence of esophageal motor disorders in diabetic patients and compare it with controls at the Department of Medicine Ziauddin Medical University Hospital, Karachi.

Methods: Diabetic patients admitted at Ziauddin Medical University Hospital, Karachi were taken as study subjects, whereas age and sex matched healthy volunteers not suffering from any disease neither taking any medication for dyspepsia were taken as controls Esophageal manometry was done to see the motility disorders in diabetic patients and controls.

Results: Resting pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter in diabetics was similar to controls. Percentage of relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter was low in diabetics. Amplitude of esophageal peristalsis and duration of contraction was similar in both the groups. Propulsive velocity of peristalsis was slower in diabetics. Parameters of upper esophageal sphincter were similar in diabetics and controls. Abnormal peristaltic waves like aperistalsis of the esophageal body, high amplitude and broader waves, absent contraction and hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter were seen in diabetics only.

Conclusions: Poor relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and slow propulsive velocity were noted in diabetics. Abnormal peristaltic waves like aperistalsis of the esophageal body, high amplitude and broader waves, absent contraction and hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter were seen in diabetics only.