Non-acid reflux and esophageal dysmotility is associated with early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Studies have demonstrated that non-acid reflux (NAR) is associated with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Esophageal dysmotility is associated with NAR but few studies have focused on the esophageal motility of ESCC patients. We explored the relationship between ESCC, NAR and esophageal dysmotility with the aid of multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH (MII-pH) and high-resolution manometry (HRM).

Methods: From Jan 2021 to Oct 2022, 20 patients with superficial ESCC were enrolled as the ESCC group, while 20 age and gender matched individuals without gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and 20 age and gender matched patients with GERD symptoms were recruited as the control groups. Patients received 24 h MII-pH and HRM procedure before endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), and the data were then collected to identify the type of reflux and esophageal dysmotility.

Results: Prevalence of esophageal dysmotility was significantly different among the three groups, 75.0% in the ESCC group, 35.0% in the non-GERD group and 70.0% in the GERD group (P = 0.029). NAR episodes at 15 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) in the ESCC group were significantly higher than that in the non-GERD group (6.5 (3.5-9.3) vs 1.0 (0.8-4.0), P = 0.001) and were similar with that in the GERD group (6.5 (3.5-9.3) vs 5.5 (3.0-10.5), P > 0.05). NAR episodes at 5 cm above LES was significantly higher in the ESCC group than that in the non-GERD group (38.0 (27.0-60.0) vs 18.0 (11.8-25.8), P = 0.001) and was significantly higher than that in the GERD group (38.0 (27.0-60.0) vs 20.0 (9.8-30.5)), P = 0.010). Prevalence of pathologic non-acid reflux was significantly different among the three groups, 30.0% in the ESCC group, 0.0% in the non-GERD group and 10.0% in the GERD group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Our study found NAR and esophageal dysfunction frequently occur in ESCC patients. NAR and esophageal dysmotility may be associated with ESCC.

Clinical Trial Registration Number: ChiCTR2200061456.