Abstract:Objective To use high resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) and 24-h multi-channel intraluminal impedance pH (24 h pH-MII) monitoring to discuss esophageal motility and reflux characteristics of non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) and functional esophageal disease, so as to understand the pathogenesis of NERD and guide clinical treatment. Methods A total of 303 patients manifested as reflux symptoms, with GerdQ score over 8 and negative endoscopic results were selected from Outpatient Department of Gastroenterology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences. The patients were divided into 125 cases of NERD group (pH positive), 108 cases of HE group (pH negative, SI or SAP positive), and 70 cases of FH group (pH negative, SI or SAP negative). The following indexes were collected: the distal contractile integral (DCI) with 5 ml liquid swallowing for 10 times, lower esophageal sphincter resting pressure (LESP), the percentage of effective peristalsis and esophagogastric junction (EGJ) type, impedance baseline value, the times of reflux with different properties and characters, and the times of proximal reflux. Results Esophageal baseline impedance of the NERD group and the HE group was significantly lower than that of the FH group (P < 0.05). For acid reflux, DeMeester score in the NERD group was significantly higher than that in the HE and FH groups, and AET and upright/supine AET in the NERD group were significantly longer than those in the HE and FH groups (P < 0.05). As to physical and chemical reflux, the NERD group demonstrated mainly acidic, liquid and mixed reflux; the HE group demonstrated mainly weak acidic, liquid and mixed reflux; the FH group demonstrated non-acidic reflux and gas reflux. Regarding esophageal motility index, LESP of the NERD group was lower than that of the HE group and the FH group (P < 0.05). DCI and the number of effective esophageal motility in the NERD group and the HE group were lower than those in the FH group (P < 0.05). The percentage of type II EGJ in the NERD group (29%) was higher than that in the HE group (9%) and the FH group (1%) (P < 0.05). Conclusions The positive acid exposure of NERD is more in line with the pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease in esophageal motility and reflux events. The decrease of esophageal motility and the ratio of reflux events are more obvious in the HE group than in the FH group in functional esophageal diseases. FH group is not apparently abnormal in esophageal dynamics and regurgitation. HRM combined with 24-h pH-MII has more advantages in diagnosis of endoscopic negative heartburn, which can provide basis and guidance for clinical treatment.