Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42186258›Full record

ArticleNeurogastroenterology and motility2026

The Aging Esophagus: Contraction Reserve on High-Resolution Manometry Declines With Age.

Nathon Smith, Allyson Richardson, Annel Fernandez, Andrew Jenkins, Mike Zhai, Brent Hiramoto, Mayssan Muftah, Jennifer X Cai, Wai-Kit Lo, Walter W Chan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Neurogastroenterology and motility, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Nathon SmithHarvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Allyson RichardsonHarvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Annel FernandezHarvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Andrew JenkinsHarvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Mike ZhaiHarvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Brent HiramotoHarvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Mayssan MuftahHarvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6012-481X
Jennifer X CaiHarvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Wai-Kit LoHarvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1526-352X
Walter W ChanHarvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Funding

Research Training in Gastrointestinal and Hepatic DiseasesT32DK135449 · NIDDK · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · PI Jessica R. Allegretti · 2023 to 2026
$1.7M
NIDDK NIH HHS T32 DK135449NIDDK NIH HHS T32DK135449
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundEsophageal symptoms are common among elderly patients, although evidence on age-related esophageal dysfunction remains inconsistent. Esophageal contraction reserve measured by response to multiple rapid swallows (MRS) on high-resolution manometry (HRM) provides additional insights beyond conventional HRM metrics. We aimed to evaluate the impact of age on esophageal contraction reserve among symptomatic adults.

methodsAdults with esophageal symptoms undergoing HRM and pH-impedance monitoring off acid suppression were included. Patients with prior foregut surgery or major peristaltic disorder were excluded. MRS response was assessed by the ratio of post-MRS distal contractile integral (DCI) to mean DCI from single water swallows, with a ratio > 1 defining a positive response (MRS+).

resultsAmong 619 patients (mean 56.5 years, 59.1% female), 372 patients (60.1%) exhibited intact contraction reserve. MRS+ patients were younger (54.3 ± 15.7 vs. 59.8 ± 12.5 years, p < 0.0001) and MRS+ prevalence declined with advancing age groups (< 35 years: 78.8%; 35-50 years: 65.4%; 50-65 years: 59.6%; > 65 years: 51.7%, p-trend = 0.0008). On multivariable logistic regression, age negatively predicted MRS+ (OR: 0.97, CI: 0.96-0.99, p = 0.0004), after adjusting for potential confounders. In separate models constructed with categorized age groups, age > 65 years independently correlated with less MRS+ compared to all younger groups: Age < 35 (OR: 0.23, CI: 0.10-0.53, p = 0.0005), age 35-50 (OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.31-0.98, p = 0.045), and age 50-65 (OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.33-0.90, p = 0.017).

conclusionEsophageal contraction reserve measured by MRS during HRM declines with advancing age. Age-related loss of contractile adaptability may contribute to esophageal dysfunction and unexplained symptoms in older adults. Provocative testing with MRS on HRM provides value in evaluating symptomatic elderly patients.

Indexed as

AgingEsophagusMuscle ContractionAdultAgedDeglutitionFemaleHumansMaleManometryMiddle Agedage‐related changesaging esophagusesophageal contraction reservehigh‐resolution manometrymultiple rapid swallowsperistaltic function

Identifiers

PMID42186258
PMCPMC13373792

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.