Evaluation of esophageal motor functions in patients diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and autoimmune hepatitis

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between autoimmune liver diseases and esophageal motor disorders (EMD). Materials and Methods: 63 patients diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and followed up in our hospital were included in the study. The control group consisted of 33 patients. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, esophageal motility study and pH meter tests were performed on all participants. Results: Of the 63 patients included in the study 49.2% of the patients, EMD was detected while 31.7% of them had pathology in the pH meter. The rates of EMD of patients with PBC, PSC and AIH were 50%, 63.6%, and 42.9%, respectively while the pathology rates of the pH meter were found as 25%, 54.5%, and 28.6%, respectively. Statistically significant difference was found between autoimmune liver disease and control group in terms of esophageal motor diseases. As a result of manometric examination, median lower esophageal sphincter resting pressure was significantly lower in autoimmune liver patients compared to the control group. Conclusion: Our study presents that EMD is common in patients with PBC, PSC, and AIH, and that the presence of cirrhosis has no impact on the development of EMD.