Objective: To observe the effects of Yunqi decoction (

YQD) on both esophageal mucosal morphology and esophageal motility in patients with reflux esophagitis (RE).Methods: According to syndrome differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)

42 RE patients were divided into three groups: disharmony of Liver and Stomach (group D)

Deficiency-Cold of Spleen and Stomach (Group DC)

Heat Syndrome caused by stagnation of Liver Qi (Group H). No. I

II

III of YQD were taken respectively for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment scores of typical symptoms were collected

gastroscopy was performed and esophageal motility were measured.Results: (1) The symptom remission rate was 81.1%

there were significant differences between the group DC with group D and group H(P < 0.01). (2) The esophageal mucosal healing rate was 61.9%

the effective rate was 90.5%

and the ineffective rate was 9.5%. There were not significant differences of effective rate among the three groups (P>0.05). (3) The changes of esophageal motility: Lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) and average peristaltic pressure (APP) of group D were obviously higher than before treatment (P < 0.05)

LESP

gastro-esophageal barrier pressure (GEBP) and peristaltic conduct speed (PCS) of group DC were remarkably higher (P < 0.05). GEBP of group H was improved (P < 0.05). Conclusions: YQD has a good therapeutic effect. It’s not only resolving reflux esophageal symptoms

healing esophageal mucosa

but also improving esophageal motile function.