New metrics in oesophageal manometry: pressure-flow metrics and the role of pressure-flow metrics in the gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

Aim: Pressure-flow analysis is a new method in the evaluation of esophageal motor functions and disorders. In this study, it was tried to determine the place of pressure flow metrics in evaluating esophageal motor functions in healthy volunteers. In addition, it is aimed to determine the role of pressure-flow metrics in evaluating gastroesophageal reflux disease. Materials and Methods: Manometry data obtained from patients with gastroesophageal reflux referred to Ege University Faculty of Medicine-Gastroenterology Department and manometry data obtained from healthy volunteers database were evaluated in Swallow Gateway where pressure-flow metrics were analyzed. The Swallow Gateway data of both groups were compared between the groups and the data obtained from the conventional database. The data were analyzed statistically by using Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test and Spearman correlation analysis in SPSS program. Results: In this study, there was a high correlation between the MMS database and the Swallow Gateway database in common metrics in the healthy group. The conventional metrics and the Swallow Gateway metrics were consistent in the healthy group. In the patient group, two methods were thought to be as successful ashealthy volunteers in the evaluation of reflux disease. The effect of bolus volume onpressure-flow metrics was investigated and the metrics affected by volume change were determined. In addition, age-dependent pressure-flow metrics in healthyvolunteers were determined. Conclusion: The flow functions of the esophagus can be evaluated by pressure-flow analysis. Although its role in gastroesophageal reflux disease seems to be limited, itis thought that these metrics can provide objective data in the detection and grouping of the disease with the studies conducted with larger patient groups, especially achalasia. The concordance of the analyzes in healthy volunteers with the accepted manometric analysis methods showed that pressure-flow analysis was an improvement in esophageal manometry.