OBJECTIVES There is limited and conflicting data regarding the role of esophageal hypersensitivity in the pathogenesis of functional chest pain (FCP). We examined esophageal sensori-motor properties, mechanics and symptoms in subjects with FCP. METHODS Esophageal balloon distension test (EBDT) was performed using impedance planimetry in 189 (m/f = 57/132) consecutive subjects with noncardiac, non-reflux chest pain, and 36 (m/f = 16/20) healthy controls. The biomechanical and sensory properties of subjects with and without esophageal hypersensitivity were compared to controls. The frequency, intensity and duration of chest pain were assessed. RESULTS: 143 (75 %) subjects had esophageal hypersensitivity and 46 (25%) had normal sensitivity. Typical chest pain was reproduced in 105/143 (74%) subjects. Subjects with hypersensitivity demonstrated larger cross-sectional area (CSA) (p<0.001), decreased esophageal wall strain (p<0.001) and distensibility (p<0.001), and lower thresholds for perception (p<0.01), discomfort (p<0.01) and pain (p<0.01) compared to those without hypersensitivity or healthy controls. Chest pain scores (mean ± SD) for frequency, intensity and duration were 2.5 ± 0.3, 2.2 ± 0.2 and 2.2 ± 0.2 respectively, and were similar between the two patient groups. CONCLUSIONS 75% of subjects with FCP demonstrate esophageal hypersensitivity. Visceral hyperalgesia and sensori-motor dysfunction of the esophagus play a key role in the pathogenesis of chest pain.

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SUMMARY Background Oesophageal balloon distension test (EBDT) has been advocated for the evaluation of functional oesophageal noncardiac chest pain (NCCP), but its diagnostic utility remains unclear. Aim To prospectively assess the diagnostic yield of EBDT in clinical practice and compare its yield with standard oesophageal tests. Methods Over a period of 6 years, patients with chest pain and negative cardiac work-up underwent sequential testing with endoscopy/biopsy, oesophageal manometry, 24 h pH study and EBDT to elucidate an oesophageal source for their symptoms. Patients with a definite abnormality, for example, erosive oesophagitis on oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) were designated as having positive test and excluded from further work up. Results Of 348 (m/f = 105/243) suspected NCCP patients, 16 (5%) were excluded; 332 (95%) underwent oesophageal testing. Among these, 48 (14%) had macro/microscopic oesophagitis on endoscopy, 7 (2%) had achalasia and 96 (28%) had excessive acid reflux (pH study). The remaining 181 (52%) patients underwent EBDT; 128 (37%) had oesophageal hypersensitivity. Chest pain was reproduced in 97/128 (75%) subjects. There were no adverse effects. Conclusions Oesophageal testing can reveal an oesophageal source for chest pain in 86% of NCCP subjects. The majority (42%) of patients had gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Oesophageal balloon distension test identified hypersensitivity in over one-third of subjects. The oesophageal balloon distension test provides useful diagnostic information and should be performed routinely in patients with NCCP after excluding GERD.

Objectives Tegaserod enhances upper gut transit in healthy subjects. However, its prokinetic effects on antral/small bowel motility and how this compares with erythromycin is unknown. We prospectively assessed and compared the effects of tegaserod and erythromycin on upper gut motility. Methods 22 patients (M/F = 4/18; mean age = 37) with upper gut dysmotility underwent 24 hour ambulatory antroduodenojejunal manometry with a 6 sensor solid state probe. The effects of 12 mg oral tegaserod were compared with 125 mg intravenous erythromycin by quantifying pressure wave activity and assessing motor patterns. Results Motor activity increased (p<0.05) in antrum, duodenum and jejunum with both drugs when compared to baseline period. The motor response with tegaserod was higher (p<0.05) in jejunum and occurred during the 2nd/3rd hours, whereas with erythromycin, it was higher (p<0.05) in antrum and occurred within 30 min. After tegaserod, a ‘fed-response’ like pattern was seen whereas after erythromycin, large amplitude (> 100 mmHg) antral contractions at 3 cycles/min were seen. Following tegaserod and erythromycin, phase III MMCs occurred in 12 (55%) and 8 (36%) patients respectively (p > 0.05). Conclusions Both drugs increase upper gut motility and induce MMC’s, but exert a differential response. Tegaserod produces a more sustained prokinetic effect in the duodenum/jejunum, whereas erythromycin predominantly increases antral motor activity.