AIM:To investigate crural diaphragm(CD)function in systemic sclerosis(SSc)using high-resolution manometryand standardized inspiratory maneuvers.METHODS:Eight SSc volunteers(average age,40.1years;one male)and 13 controls(average age,32.2years;six males)participated in the study.A highresolution manometry/impedance system measured the esophagus and esophagogastric junction(EGJ)pressure profile during swallows and two respiratory maneuvers:sinus arrhythmia maneuver(SAM;the average of six EGJ peak pressures during 5-s deep inhalations)and threshold maneuver(TM;the EGJ peak pressures during forced inhalation under 12 and 24 cm H2O loads).Inspiratory diaphragm lowering(IDL)was taken as the displacement of the EGJ high-pressure zone during the SAM.RESULTS:SSc patients had lower mean lower esophageal sphincter pressure than controls during normal breathing(19.7±2.8 mm Hg vs 32.2±2.7 mm Hg,P=0.007).Sinus arrhythmia maneuver pressure was higher in SSc patients than in controls(142.6±9.4 mm Hg vs 104.6±13.8 mm Hg,P=0.019).Sinus arrhythmia maneuver pressure normalized to IDL was also higher in SSc patients than in controls(83.8±13.4 mm Hg vs37.5±6.9 mm Hg,P=0.005).Threshold maneuver pressures normalized to IDL were also greater in SSc patients than in controls(TM 12 cm H2O:85.1±16.4mm Hg vs 43.9±6.3 mm Hg,P=0.039;TM 24 cm H2O:85.2±16.4 mm Hg vs 46.2±6.6 mm Hg,P=0.065).Inspiratory diaphragm lowering in SSc patients was less than in controls(2.1±0.3 cm vs 3±0.2 cm,P=0.011).CONCLUSION:SSc patients had increased inspiratory EGJ pressure.This is an add-on to EGJ pressure and indicates that the antireflux barrier can be trained.
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