Review
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World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. May 6, 2014; 5(2): 86-96
Published online May 6, 2014. doi: 10.4292/wjgpt.v5.i2.86
Esophageal motility abnormalities in gastroesophageal reflux disease
Irene Martinucci, Nicola de Bortoli, Maria Giacchino, Giorgia Bodini, Elisa Marabotto, Santino Marchi, Vincenzo Savarino, Edoardo Savarino
Irene Martinucci, Nicola de Bortoli, Santino Marchi, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
Maria Giacchino, Vincenzo Savarino, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy
Giorgia Bodini, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy
Elisa Marabotto, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy
Edoardo Savarino, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
Author contributions: Martinucci I, de Bortoli N, Giacchino M, Bodini G, Marabotto E, Marchi S, Savarino V and Savarino E contributed to the design of the study, analysis and interpretation of the data, drafting of the article, critical revision of the article for important intellectual content and final approval of the article.
Correspondence to: Edoardo Savarino, MD, PhD, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy. edoardo.savarino@gmail.com
Telephone: +39-049-8217749 Fax: +39-010-8760820
Received: October 19, 2013
Revised: January 2, 2014
Accepted: January 15, 2014
Published online: May 6, 2014
Processing time: 212 Days and 22.2 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Esophageal motility abnormalities are among the main factors implicated in the pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease. In particular, transient lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxations, hypotensive LES, ineffective esophageal peristalsis and bolus transit abnormalities have been strongly implicated in gastroesophageal reflux disease development. Moreover, recent findings suggest that these abnormalities are increasingly prevalent with increasing severity of reflux disease. Currently, surgery represents the only reliable way to restore the esophagogastric junction integrity and to reduce transient LES relaxations. On that ground, more in depth future studies assessing the pathogenetic role of dysmotility in patients with reflux disease are warranted.