How to Diagnose and Treat Functional Chest Pain

Factors predictive of gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophageal motility disorders in patients with non-cardiac chest pain

BACKGROUND

Patients with non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) are referred for esophageal motility testing and pH monitoring since gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal motility disorders are frequently encountered in these patients. Our aim was to determine the prevalence and distribution of these disorders and to identify predictors of abnormal esophageal function testing.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of NCCP patients who presented after a negative cardiac evaluation and underwent esophageal manometry, esophageal pH monitoring and upper endoscopy from January 2010 to January 2017.

KEY RESULTS

In a total of 177 patients, esophageal motility disorders were diagnosed in 31% and GERD in 35% of the patients. The most common diagnoses were ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) in 14.1%, jackhammer esophagus in 6.8%, diffuse esophageal spasm in 5.1% and achalasia in 2.3% patients. Older age [for every 5-year increment, odds ratio (OR) 1.2 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.00-1.3) p = .047] and dysphagia [OR 3.8 (95% CI, 1.9-7.5) p < .001] were predictors of esophageal motility disorders. Older age [for every 5-year increment, OR 1.2 (95% CI, 1.01-1.3) p = .032] was predictive of GERD. Abnormal esophageal testing was associated with male gender [OR 2.2 (95% CI, 1.04-4.6) p = .039], older age [for every 5-year increment, OR 1.2 (95% CI, 1.03-1.3) p = .016] and Caucasian race [OR 3.1 (95% CI, 1.1-8.7) p < .029].

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately two thirds of patients presenting with NCCP have GERD or esophageal motility disorders. Esophageal function testing in NCCP should be considered in older patients, men, Caucasians and those presenting with dysphagia.