ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the potential role of ineffective esophageal motility(IEM) in the pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD).Methods The esophageal manometry and ambulatory pH monitoring findings from patients with GERD were analyzed to identify the prevalence of IEM in patients with GERD.And comparison of esophageal acid exposure,esophageal acid clearance (EAC) and endoscopic esophagitis in GERD patients with IEM were made.Results Of 86 patients with GERD,59 (68.6%) were found to have nonspecific esophageal motility disorder (NEMD);55 of the 59 (93.2%)patients with NEMD met the diagnostic criteria for IEM.The overall incidence of IEM in GERD patients was 63.95%.Patients with IEM demonstrated significant increase in total,upright and recumbent mean percentage of time of pH