Objectives To study the esophageal manometry in patients with Raynaud´s phenomenon and positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in the absence of esophageal, skin or internal organs manifestations.

Methods 14 patients, 13 women and 1 man (46,8 mean age; 9–65 years) with mean evolution time of Raynaud´s henomenon of 5 years were included in this study. Nailfold capillary microscopy study, autoantibodies profile and esophageal manometry (Synetics Manometry Unid. Synetics neumocapillary Pump and Poligraph) were performed in all patients. The lower esophageal sphincter, esophageal body and upper esophageal sphincter pressures were analysed independently.

Results 44% patients had a lower esophageal sphincter hipotonia which showed a significant relationship (p < 0.05) with the presence of both articular disease (33.5%) and anti-centromere antibodies (44.4%). However, the naildfold scleroderma pattern (61%) did not show a significant relationship with lower esophageal sphincter hipotonia. 33.3% patients showed unspecific motor alterations in the esophageal body. There was significant relationship (p < 0.001) between esophageal body alterations and the naildfold scleroderma pattern. In all patients studied, the function of the upper esophageal sphincter was within the normal limits. In the control group of patients with Raynaud´s phenomenon and negative ANA, the esophageal manometry was normal.

Conclusion Alterations in the esophageal manometry are frequent in patients with Raynaud`s phenomenon and positive ANA and they suggest the presence of systemic disease even in the absence of skin or internal organs involvement.