Objective: To determine the effect of ageing on length and resting pressure of the upper and lower oesophageal sphincters (UOSs, LOSs).
Background: The effectiveness of upper and lower oesophageal sphincters (UOSs and LOSs, respectively) in the control of retrograde trans-sphincteric flow is influenced by sphincteric pressure and length.
Methods: Nine young and nine elderly healthy volunteers were studied. Resting UOS and LOS pressures were measured by sleeve devices and lengths were measured by the station pull-through technique.
Results: The length of the UOS high pressure zone in the elderly (2.1 +/- 0.7 cm posterior; 1.9 +/- 0.1 cm anterior) was significantly shorter than that of the young (2.9 +/- 0.1 cm posterior; 3.1 +/- 0.2 cm anterior) (P< 0.01). Resting UOS pressure in the elderly (42 +/- 5 mmHg) was significantly lower than that of the young (62 +/- 7 mmHg) (P< 0.05). The intersphincteric length of the oesophagus in the elderly (21 +/- 0.2 cm) was similar to that of the young (21 +/- 0.4 cm). Total length of the LOS high pressure zone in the young (4.0 +/- 0.1 cm) was similar to that of the elderly (4.1 +/- 0.1 cm). LOS resting pressure was similar between young and elderly subjects (17 +/- 5 mmHg and 15 +/- 3 mmHg, respectively).
Conclusions: Ageing affects the UOS and LOS differently. With regard to resting pressure and length, ageing weakens the UOS, but has no significant effect on the LOS.