The Milan Score Predicts Objective Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Patients With Type 2 Esophagogastric Junction

Introduction: High-resolution manometry (HRM) allows assessment of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) disruption. While type 3 EGJ predicts definitive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), type 2 EGJ is less clearly implicated in GERD pathogenesis. This study aimed to characterize physiologic findings in type 2 EGJ to determine if the HRM-based Milan Score can define GERD within type 2 EGJ.

Methods: 535 patients with suspected GERD who underwent HRM and reflux monitoring were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical, HRM, and reflux study data were compared between the EGJ morphology subtypes, with objective GERD defined according to Lyon Consensus 2.0. The Milan Score, a novel metric that integrates ineffective esophageal motility, EGJ-contractile integral, EGJ morphology, and straight leg raise response, was abnormal when ≥ 137 (risk rate 50% for GERD). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess the accuracy of the Milan Score to predict objective GERD.

Results: Type 3 EGJ was associated with the highest rate of objective GERD, followed by type 2 and type 1 EGJ (p < 0.001), with a corresponding stepwise increase in AET from type 1 to 3 EGJ (p < 0.001). Type 2 EGJ with Milan Score < 137 resembled type 1 EGJ (objective GERD in 23.6% vs. 33.2%, p = 0.09), and type 2 EGJ with score ≥ 137 resembled type 3 EGJ (objective GERD in 88.2% vs. 78.8%, p = 0.11). On ROC analysis, the Milan Score had an area under the curve of 0.858.

Conclusion: While type 2 EGJ includes varying GERD severity, the Milan Score can segregate patients at risk for objective GERD.