Effect of acute and long-term oral tobacco use on oesophageal motility1

• Published in: Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology Vol. 15; no. 9; pp. 1018 - 1021
• Main Authors: Bhandarkar, Prashant V, Shah, Saumil K, Meshram, Megha, Abraham, Philip, Narayanan, Ts, Bhatia, Shobna J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne, Australia Blackwell Science Pty 01.09.2000
• Subjects: oesophageal manometry; tobacco
• ISSN: 0815-9319; 1440-1746
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1746.2000.02287.x

Background and Aims : Nicotine administration is known to decrease lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure. Although a few studies have assessed the effect of tobacco on the LOS, the effect of acute and long‐term oral tobacco use on oesophageal motility is not known. The study was designed to investigate the effect of acute and long‐term oral tobacco use on LOS and distal oesophageal motility. Methods : Thirty‐six healthy men (aged 18–65 years, median 34 years; 18 oral tobacco users, 18 non‐tobacco users) underwent oesophageal manometry using a water‐perfusion system. After baseline manometry, tobacco users were asked to keep 0.5 g tobacco in their mouth for 10 min; non‐users of tobacco were kept in quiet surroundings for a similar period. Manometry was then repeated. Results : The LOS basal pressures were similar in tobacco users and non‐tobacco users (mean ± SD 15.4 ± 6.3 vs 13.4 ± 5.3 mmHg). In the distal oesophageal body, the velocity (4.4 ± 3.1 vs 4.9 ± 2.6 cm/s), amplitude (92.7 ± 38.3 vs 84.8 ± 33.2 mmHg) and duration of contraction (2.1 ± 0.7 vs 1.7 ± 0.9 s) were similar in tobacco users and non‐users. Acute tobacco use did not affect these parameters. The numbers of abnormal waves (triple peaks and non‐transmitted contractions) were also similar in the two groups. Conclusion : Oral tobacco use does not appear to affect LOS pressures and distal oesophageal motility acutely or in the long term.