Ambulatory pH-impedance-pressure monitoring as a diagnostic tool for the reflux-cough syndrome.

Gastroesophageal reflux is considered to be a significant contributing factor to chronic unexplained cough. Patients are often presumed to have reflux-induced cough and are exposed to high-dose and long-term empirical therapy with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) despite the limited treatment efficacy in this population. We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of 24-hour ambulatory pH-impedance-pressure monitoring for the diagnosis of reflux-induced chronic cough. In this multicenter study, we evaluated 192 patients with chronic cough using 24-hour pH-impedance-pressure monitoring off PPIs. Manometry was used to detect all cough bursts while pH-impedance allowed for the evaluation of all reflux episodes, including weakly acidic reflux. The symptom association probability was used to determine a temporal relationship between reflux and cough. A diagnosis of reflux-induced cough was made in 25.5% of the patients. If only acid reflux episodes were used, 22.4% of those patients would not have been diagnosed. Significantly more patients with reflux-induced cough had typical reflux symptoms (P = 0.031) and a pathological distal acid exposure time (P = 0.025) in comparison to patients without the diagnosis. A diagnosis of cough-induced reflux was made in 24.0% of the patients. Only 59% of all cough bursts were registered by the patients. Overall, only approximately one quarter of patients with chronic unexplained cough have reflux-induced cough, explaining the observation that the vast majority of patients with chronic cough do not benefit from antireflux therapy. pH-impedance-pressure monitoring helps to identify patients who are likely to have reflux as a cause of their chronic cough.

Chicago Classification of Esophageal Motility Disorders: Lessons Learned.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: High-resolution manometry (HRM) is increasingly performed worldwide, to study esophageal motility. The Chicago classification is subsequently applied to interpret the manometric findings and facilitate a diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders. This review will discuss new insights regarding the diagnosis and management using the Chicago classification. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have demonstrated that high-resolution manometry is superior to conventional manometry, and has a higher sensitivity to diagnose achalasia. Furthermore, the subclassification of achalasia as used in the Chicago classification has prognostic value and can be used to direct treatment. Diagnosis of esophageal spasm has been improved by using the distal latency as diagnostic criterion. Recently, criteria for minor disorders of peristalsis have been sharpened, leading to a lower rate of patients with abnormal results, thereby increasing the relevance of a diagnosis. High-resolution manometry is now considered the gold standard for diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders. The Chicago classification provides a standardized approach for analysis and categorization of abnormalities that has led to a significant increase in our knowledge regarding the diagnosis and management of motility disorders. Further refinement of the classification will be required.

A pregnant patient with excessive belching.

We present a patient that developed severe belching during pregnancy. Esophageal pH-impedance monitoring revealed frequent supragastric belching, but not gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Thus, severe belching during pregnancy can be due to a behavioral disorder in the absence of GERD. Belching complaints during pregnancy should therefore not always be treated as GERD.

Systematic review: questionnaires for assessment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Numerous questionnaires with a wide variety of characteristics have been developed for the assessment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Four well-defined dimensions are noticeable in these GERD questionnaires, which are symptoms, response to treatment, diagnosis, and burden on the quality of life of GERD patients. The aim of this review is to develop a complete overview of all available questionnaires, categorized per dimension of the assessment of GERD. A systematic search of the literature up to January 2013 using the Pubmed database and the Embase database, and search of references and conference abstract books were conducted. A total number of 65 questionnaires were extracted and evaluated. Thirty-nine questionnaires were found applicable for the assessment of GERD symptoms, three of which are generic gastrointestinal questionnaires. For the assessment of response to treatment, 14 questionnaires were considered applicable. Seven questionnaires with diagnostic purposes were found. In the assessment of quality of life in GERD patients, 18 questionnaires were found and evaluated. Twenty questionnaires were found to be used for more than one assessment dimension, and eight questionnaires were found for GERD assessment in infants and/or children. A wide variety of GERD questionnaires is available, of which the majority is used for assessment of GERD symptoms. Questionnaires differ in aspects such as design, validation and translations. Also, numerous multidimensional questionnaires are available, of which the Reflux Disease Questionnaire is widely applicable. We provided an overview of GERD questionnaires to aid investigators and clinicians in their search for the most appropriate questionnaire for their specific purposes.

Inter-observer agreement for diagnostic classification of esophageal motility disorders defined in high-resolution manometry.

High-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) is a recent development used in the evaluation of esophageal function. Our aim was to assess the inter-observer agreement for diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders using this technology. Practitioners registered on the HRM Working Group website were invited to review and classify (i) 147 individual water swallows and (ii) 40 diagnostic studies comprising 10 swallows using a drop-down menu that followed the Chicago Classification system. Data were presented using a standardized format with pressure contours without a summary of HRM metrics. The sequence of swallows was fixed for each user but randomized between users to avoid sequence bias. Participants were blinded to other entries. (i) Individual swallows were assessed by 18 practitioners (13 institutions). Consensus agreement (≤ 2/18 dissenters) was present for most cases of normal peristalsis and achalasia but not for cases of peristaltic dysmotility. (ii) Diagnostic studies were assessed by 36 practitioners (28 institutions). Overall inter-observer agreement was 'moderate' (kappa 0.51) being 'substantial' (kappa > 0.7) for achalasia type I/II and no lower than 'fair-moderate' (kappa >0.34) for any diagnosis. Overall agreement was somewhat higher among those that had performed >400 studies (n = 9; kappa 0.55) and 'substantial' among experts involved in development of the Chicago Classification system (n = 4; kappa 0.66). This prospective, randomized, and blinded study reports an acceptable level of inter-observer agreement for HRM diagnoses across the full spectrum of esophageal motility disorders for a large group of clinicians working in a range of medical institutions. Suboptimal agreement for diagnosis of peristaltic motility disorders highlights contribution of objective HRM metrics.

Birch pollen sensitization with cross-reactivity to food allergens predominates in adults with eosinophilic esophagitis.

EoE patients show variable sensitization patterns to food and aeroallergens. The value of allergy testing in adult EoE patients is unclear. Component-resolved diagnosis (CRD) may offer additional insights into sensitization patterns. The aim of this study was to characterize sensitization patterns in adult EoE patients using CRD. Serum from 76 patients (17 female), age 38.6 ± 1.5 years, was analyzed for reactivity to 112 different allergen components using an immuno-solid-phase allergen chip (ISAC). We observed any sensitization in 59 patients (78%), of which 54 patients were polysensitized. Aeroallergen sensitization, mostly against components of grass or tree pollen, or house dust mite, was observed in 74% of the patients. Birch pollen (rBet v 1) sensitization with cross-reactivity to food allergen components was observed in 30 patients (39%). In conclusion, food sensitizations in EoE patients are mainly caused by cross-reactivity to food allergens after primary birch pollen sensitization. Pollen and food sensitizations may cause or maintain esophageal inflammation in EoE patients. CRD provides more insight into sensitization patterns, identifies additional food allergen sensitizations and might be useful to direct dietary therapy in EoE.

Efficacy of cola ingestion for oesophageal food bolus impaction: open label, multicentre, randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of cola in resolving complete oesophageal food bolus impaction. DESIGN: Open label, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Emergency departments of five Dutch hospitals at the secondary and tertiary level, between 22 December 2019 and 16 June 2022. PARTICIPANTS: 51 adults presenting with complete oesophageal food bolus impaction, defined as a sudden inability to pass saliva after consumption of foods. Patients who ingested meat that contained bones, and patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification of IV or higher were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: 28 patients in the intervention group were instructed to consume 25 mL cups of cola at intervals up to a maximum total volume of 200 mL. 23 patients in the control group awaited spontaneous passage. In either group, if complete resolution of symptoms did not occur, endoscopic removal was performed following current guidelines: within 6 hours for patients with complete obstruction, and within 24 hours for partial obstruction. In case of complete resolution of symptoms, elective diagnostic endoscopy was required. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Improvement of oesophageal food bolus obstruction as reported by patients (ie, aggregate of complete and partial passage), and evaluation of complete passage. The secondary outcome was any intervention related adverse event. RESULTS: Cola did not have a meaningful effect on the improvement of food bolus obstruction (17/28 (61%) intervention v 14/23 (61%) control; odds ratio 1.00, 95% confidence interval 0.33 to 3.1; relative risk reduction 0.0, 95% confidence interval -0.55 to 0.36; P>0.99). Complete passage was reported more often in the intervention group but this difference was not significant (12/28 (43%) intervention v 8/23 (35%) control; odds ratio 1.4 (0.45 to 4.4); relative risk reduction -0.23 (-1.5 to 0.39); P=0.58). No severe adverse events occurred. However, six (21%) patients in the intervention group experienced temporary discomfort after drinking cola. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, cola consumption did not lead to a higher rate of improvement of complete oesophageal food bolus impaction. Given the lack of adverse events in the treatment group and some events of resolution after treatment, cola might be considered as a first line treatment, but should not delay any planning of endoscopic management. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Register (currently International Clinical Trial Registry Platform) NL8312.

Effects of anti-reflux surgery on weakly acidic reflux and belching.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) is the most frequently performed operation for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). However, 12% of the patients have persistent reflux symptoms and 19% develop gas-related symptoms after LNF. Weakly acidic reflux and inability to belch have been alleged to cause these symptoms, respectively. The effect of LNF on weakly acidic reflux and (supra) gastric belching was evaluated. METHODS: In 31 patients upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, stationary oesophageal manometry and 24-h impedance-pH monitoring off acid secretion inhibiting drugs was performed before and 6 months after primary LNF for GORD that was refractory to proton pump inhibitors. Patients filled out validated questionnaires on GERD-HRQoL before and 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: LNF reduced reflux symptoms (18.6→1.6; p = 0.015). The procedure drastically reduced the incidence (number per 24 h) of acid (76.0→1.6; p < 0.001) and weakly acidic (13.6→5.7; p = 0.001) as well as liquid (53.4→5.4; p<0.001) and mixed reflux episodes (36.3→1.9; p < 0.001). In contrast, gas reflux was reduced to lesser extent (35.6→25.7; p = 0.022). Proximal, mid-oesophageal and distal reflux were reduced to a similar extent. Persistent GORD symptoms were neither preceded by acid nor by weakly acidic reflux. The number of air swallows did not change, but the number of gastric belches (GBs) was greatly reduced (68.5→23.9; p < 0.001). Twenty-three patients had supragastric belches (SGBs), both before and after surgery, whereas eight patients had no SGBs at all. The majority of SGBs were not reflux associated and the frequency was greatly increased after LNF (20.8→46.0; p = 0.036). Reflux-associated SGBs were abolished after surgery (14.0→0.4; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: LNF similarly controls acid and weakly acidic reflux, but gas reflux is reduced to lesser extent. Persistent reflux symptoms are neither caused by acid nor by weakly acidic reflux. LNF alters the belching pattern by reducing GBs (air venting from stomach) and increasing SGBs (no air venting from stomach). This explains the increase in belching experienced by some patients after LNF, despite the reduction in gastric belching. It can be hypothesised that the reduction in GBs after LNF incites patients to increase SGBs in a futile attempt to vent air from the stomach.

Impact of symptom-reflux association analysis on long-term outcome after Nissen fundoplication.

BACKGROUND: A positive symptom association probability (SAP) is regarded as an important selection criterion for antireflux surgery by many physicians. However, no data corroborate the relationship between symptom-reflux association and outcome, nor is it clear what impact a negative SAP has on the outcome of antireflux surgery in patients with abnormal oesophageal acid exposure. This study compared long-term outcomes of Nissen fundoplication in patients with a negative versus positive SAP. METHODS: Five-year outcome of Nissen fundoplication in patients with proton-pump inhibitor (PPI)-refractory reflux and pathological acid exposure was compared between those with (SAP+, 109) and without (SAP-, 29 patients) a positive symptom association. Symptoms, quality of life (QoL), PPI use, endoscopic findings, manometry and acid exposure were evaluated. RESULTS: At 5 years' follow-up, relief of reflux symptoms (95 versus 87 per cent), reduction in PPI use (80 to 25 per cent versus 85 to 14 per cent; P < 0·050) and improvement in QoL were similar in the SAP- and SAP+ groups. Reduction in acid exposure time (13·4 to 1·6 per cent versus 11·1 to 0·2 per cent of total time; P < 0·010), improvement in oesophagitis (44 to 6 per cent versus 61 to 13 per cent; P < 0·050) and increase in lower oesophageal sphincter pressure were also comparable. CONCLUSION: The subjective and objective outcomes of fundoplication in patients with pathological acid exposure are comparable among those with a positive and negative SAP. Patients with pathological acid exposure and a negative SAP can also benefit from antireflux surgery.

Long-term outcome of Nissen fundoplication in non-erosive and erosive gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: Non-erosive (NERD) and erosive (ERD) gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) show similar severity of symptoms and impact on quality of life (QoL). Prospective data on long-term outcomes of antireflux surgery in NERD are lacking. METHODS: Subjective and objective 5-year outcomes of Nissen fundoplication were compared in 96 patients with NERD and 117 with ERD, operated on for proton-pump inhibitor (PPI)-refractory GORD. RESULTS: Preoperative and postoperative QoL, PPI use, acid exposure time, symptom-reflux correlation, lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure and reoperation rates were similar in the two groups. At 5 years, relief of reflux symptoms was similar (NERD 89 per cent versus ERD 96 per cent), PPI use showed a similar reduction (82 to 21 per cent versus 81 to 15 per cent respectively; both P < 0.001) and QoL score improved equally (50.3 to 65.2 (P < 0.001) versus 52.0 to 60.7 (P = 0.016)). Five patients with NERD developed erosions after surgery; oesophagitis healed in 87 per cent of patients with ERD. Reduction in total acid exposure time (NERD 12.7 to 2.0 per cent versus ERD 13.8 to 2.9 per cent; both P < 0.001) and increase in LOS pressure (1.3 to 1.8 kPa versus 1.2 to 1.8 kPa; both P < 0.001) were similar. The reintervention rate was comparable (NERD 15 per cent versus ERD 12.8 per cent). CONCLUSION: Patients with PPI-refractory NERD and ERD benefit equally from Nissen fundoplication. The absence of mucosal lesions on endoscopy in patients with proven PPI-refractory reflux disease is not a reason to refrain from antireflux surgery.

New therapies for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

It is estimated that approximately 30% of the GERD patients is not satisfied about the effect of proton pump inhibitors on their symptoms. Esophageal hypersensitivity, persistent non-acid reflux and incomplete acid suppression all can play a role in the pathogenesis of persistent GERD symptoms. More powerful inhibitors of the proton pump are now being developed, resulting in a more prolonged and profound acid suppression. New prokinetics and inhibitors of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs) can potentially reduce both acid and non-acid reflux and drugs that reduce hypersensitivity are possibly helpful for the treatment of non-erosive reflux disease. Whether these drugs will make it to the markets will mainly depend on their side effect profile and their ability to have an additional beneficial effect over the current gold standard therapy as it likely that a new antireflux drug will be used in combination with proton pump inhibitors. Over the last decade various endoscopic antireflux techniques have been introduced, most of them have been withdrawn soon after introduction due to lack of effect or after the occurrence of severe side-effects. Several endoluminal plication techniques and endoluminal radiofrequency ablation therapy are still available and being evaluated in research centres but more data on safety and efficacy is required before a more widespread use can be advised.

Chronic Burping and Belching.

Belching is a physiological event that allows venting of swallowed gastric air. Excessive belching is a common presentation to gastroenterology clinics and could be isolated complains or associated with other gastrointestinal problems. PURPOSE OF THIS REVIEW: It is to describe the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of belching disorders RECENT FINDINGS: These demonstrate that learned abnormal behaviors in response to unpleasant feeling in the abdomen are the driving causes for excessive belching and addressing these behaviors by speech pathology and cognitive behavior therapy considered as the keystone in its management SUMMARY: The gold standard in the diagnosis of belching is impedance monitoring by which belching is classified into supragastric belching and gastric belching.

Oesophageal acid hypersensitivity is not a contraindication to Nissen fundoplication.

BACKGROUND: The Rome III criteria classify patients with a positive relationship between symptoms and reflux episodes but a physiological oesophageal acid exposure time as having gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) with an acid hypersensitive oesophagus. The long-term outcome of antireflux surgery in these patients was investigated. METHODS: Outcomes of Nissen fundoplication in 28 patients with GORD refractory to proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and oesophageal acid hypersensitivity (group 1) were compared with those of 126 patients with pathological acid exposure (group 2). RESULTS: Fundoplication had a similar effect in both groups. Three months after surgery, total acid exposure time and the prevalence of oesophagitis had decreased, whereas mean lower oesophageal pressure had increased. The percentage of patients using PPIs was reduced from 83 to 4 per cent in group 1 and from 86.1 to 7.4 per cent in group 2 (both P < 0.001). Quality of life measured on a scale from 0 to 100 improved from 52 to 69 (P = 0.009) and 64 (P < 0.001) respectively. The percentage of patients with resolved or improved symptoms at 5 years was similar. CONCLUSION: Patients with oesophageal acid hypersensitivity benefit from Nissen fundoplication as much as those with pathological acid exposure.

Oesophageal high-resolution manometry: moving from research into clinical practice.

Manometry measures pressure within the oesophageal lumen and sphincters, and provides an assessment of the neuromuscular activity that dictates function in health and disease. It is performed to investigate the cause of functional dysphagia, unexplained "non-cardiac" chest pain, and in the pre-operative work-up of patients referred for anti-reflux surgery. Manometric techniques have improved in a step-wise fashion from a single pressure channel to the development of high-resolution manometry (HRM) with up to 36 pressure sensors. At the same time, advances in computer processing allow pressure data to be presented in real time as a compact, visually intuitive "spatiotemporal plot" of oesophageal pressure activity. HRM recordings reveal the complex functional anatomy of the oesophagus and its sphincters. Spatiotemporal plots provide objective measurements of the forces that move food and fluid from the pharynx to the stomach and determine the risk of reflux events. The introduction of commercially available HRM has been followed by rapid uptake of the technique. This review examines the current evidence that supports the move of HRM from the research setting into clinical practice. It is assessed whether a detailed description of pressure activity identifies clinically relevant oesophageal dysfunction that is missed by conventional investigation, increasing diagnostic yield and accuracy. The need for a new classification system for oesophageal motor activity based on HRM recordings is discussed. Looking ahead the potential of this technology to guide more effective medical and surgical treatment of oesophageal disease is considered because, ultimately, it is this that will define the success of HRM in clinical practice.

Mechanisms of acid, weakly acidic and gas reflux after anti-reflux surgery.

BACKGROUND: Whereas it is well documented that fundoplication reduces acid reflux, the effects of the procedure on non-acid and gas reflux and the mechanisms through which this is achieved have not been fully elucidated. METHODS: In 14 patients, reflux was measured with impedance-pH monitoring during a postprandial 90 min stationary recording period before and 3 months after fundoplication. Concomitantly, the occurrence of transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations (TLOSRs) and morphology of the oesophagogastric junction were studied with high-resolution manometry. This was followed by 24 h ambulatory impedance-pH monitoring. RESULTS: Before fundoplication, two separate high-pressure zones (hernia profile) were detected during 24.9% of total time, during which there was a large increase in reflux rate. After fundoplication, the hernia profile did not occur. Fundoplication decreased the number of TLOSRs (from 10.5 (SEM 1.2) to 4.5 (0.7), p<0.01) and also the percentage of TLOSRs associated with acidic or weakly acidic reflux (from 72.7% to 4.1%, p<0.01). Nadir pressure during TLOSRs increased after surgery (from 0 (0-0) to 1.0 (1-2) kPa, p<0.05). In the ambulatory study, there was a large decrease in prevalence of both acid (-96%, from 47.0 (5.9) to 1.8 (0.5), p<0.01) and weakly acidic reflux (-92%, from 25.0 (9.7) to 2.3 (0.9), p<0.01). The decrease in gas reflux was less pronounced (-53%, from 24.2 (4.9) to 11.3 (3.0), p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Fundoplication greatly reduces both acid and weakly acidic liquid reflux; gas reflux is reduced to a lesser extent. Three mechanisms play a role: (1) abolition of the double high-pressure zone profile (hiatal hernia); (2) reduced incidence of TLOSRs; and (3) decreased percentage of TLOSRs associated with reflux.

The treatment of achalasia patients with esophageal varices: an international study.

Background: Treatment options for achalasia include endoscopic and surgical techniques that carry the risk of esophageal bleeding and perforation. The rare coexistence of esophageal varices has only been anecdotally described and treatment is presumed to carry additional risk. Methods: Experience from physicians/surgeons treating this rare combination of disorders was sought through the International Manometry Working Group. Results: Fourteen patients with achalasia and varices from seven international centers were collected (mean age 61 ± 9 years). Five patients were treated with botulinum toxin injections (BTI), four had dilation, three received peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), one had POEM then dilation, and one patient underwent BTI followed by Heller's myotomy. Variceal eradication preceded achalasia treatment in three patients. All patients experienced a significant symptomatic improvement (median Eckardt score 7 vs 1; p < 0.0001) at 6 months follow-up, with treatment outcomes resembling those of 20 non-cirrhotic achalasia patients who underwent similar therapy. No patients had recorded complications of bleeding or perforation. Conclusion: This study shows an excellent short-term symptomatic response in patients with esophageal achalasia and varices and demonstrates that the therapeutic outcomes and complications, other than transient encephalopathy in both patients who had a portosystemic shunt, did not differ to disease-matched patients without varices.

High-resolution manometry.

Recently, high-resolution oesophageal manometry was added to the armamentarium of researchers and gastroenterologists. Current studies suggest that the yield of high-resolution oesophageal manometry is higher than that of conventional pull-through manometry and is at least comparable to that of sleeve sensor manometry. Probably the most important advantage of solid-state high-resolution manometry is that it makes oesophageal manometry faster and easier to perform. Topographic plotting of high-resolution manometry signals facilitates their interpretation. It is concluded that high-resolution manometry is a promising technique for the evaluation of oesophageal motor function. Further studies will have to determine whether high-resolution manometry is superior to conventional manometry in the diagnostic work-up of patients with oesophageal symptoms.

[Therapy resistance of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms: acid reflux, non-acid reflux or no reflux]. / Therapieresistentie van gastro-oesofageale refluxklachten: zure reflux, niet-zure reflux of geen reflux.

The introduction of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) was a huge step forward in the treatment of gastric acid-related disorders such as reflux disease and gastric ulcers. Despite the strong effectiveness of PPIs, in a small number of patients reflux symptoms are not adequately relieved by these drugs. The amount of acid inhibition that can be achieved using a PPI depends on a number of different factors, such as Helicobacter pylori infection, genetic variation in metabolizing enzymes, and lack of compliance. Nocturnal gastric acid breakthrough does not appear to be important in the pathogenesis of therapy-resistant reflux symptoms. Not all reflux from the stomach into the oesophagus appears to be acidic. Episodes of non-acid reflux may also elicit typical reflux symptoms. This can be established by impedance measurements of the oesophagus. However, most patients whose symptoms do not respond satisfactorily to PPI therapy appear not to have reflux disease but instead be suffering from other conditions such as functional dyspepsia, aerophagy or rumination. Careful history-taking is pivotal in patients with reflux symptoms and should always precede additional investigations such as upper endoscopy and if necessary 24-hour reflux monitoring.

[Sigmoid carcinoma as a long-term complication following ureterosigmoidostomy]. / Sigmoïdcarcinoom als langetermijncomplicatie na ureterosigmoïdostomie.

A 45-year-old woman, known to have a congenital exstrophy ofthe bladder, for which she underwent a ureterosigmoidostomy in her infancy, presented with fever. This was due to pyelonephritis, from which she recovered with antibiotic therapy. During colonoscopy a carcinoma of the sigmoid was found at the level of the anastomosis of the ureters. Patients with a ureterosigmoidostomy have a one hundred-fold increased risk of colon carcinoma compared to the general population. The development of malignant tumours as a long-term complication of this procedure is linked with the frequent contact between intestinal tissue and urine. Periodical colonoscopy of these patients is advised.

Incidence and costs of achalasia in The Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: Recent reports show increasing incidence of achalasia in some populations. The aim of this study was to estimate incidence, prevalence, and healthcare costs of achalasia in a large cohort in The Netherlands. METHODS: Data were obtained from the largest Dutch healthcare insurance company (±4.4 million insured). Adult achalasia patients were identified between 2006 and 2014 when having an achalasia diagnosis code registered. A total of 907 achalasia patients were identified and included in our database, along with 9068 control patients (non-achalasia patients), matched by age and gender. KEY RESULTS: The mean incidence over the 9-year period was 2.2 per 100 000 persons and the mean prevalence was 15.3 per 100 000 persons. Mean age of achalasia patients was 54 (range 18-98) years. Male to female ratio was 1:1. Socio-economic status distribution was similar in achalasia patients and controls. Prior to the diagnosis, 74% of achalasia patients received proton pump inhibitors and 26% received anti-emetic medication. The first year after diagnosis median total direct medical costs of achalasia patients were €2283 (IQR 969-3044) per year. Patients above the 90th percentile of €4717 were significantly older than other patients below the 90th percentile (mean age 63 vs 57); P = .005. CONCLUSION & INFERENCES: In this large study that used a database comprising about 25% of all inhabitants of The Netherlands, it is confirmed that achalasia affects individuals of both genders and all ages. The costs associated with diagnosis and treatment of new cases of achalasia increase with increasing age.