Determinant factors for first-line treatment choice and effectiveness in pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis: an analysis of the EUREOS EoE CONNECT registry.

This study compared short-term effectiveness of proton pump inhibitors (PPI), swallowed topical corticosteroids (STC), and dietary therapies in reversing clinical and histological features in pediatric patients with eosinophilic esophagitits (EoE). Determinants for treatment choice and PPI therapy effectiveness were also assessed.  A cross-sectional study analysis of patients under 18 years old recruited onto the multicenter EoE CONNECT registry was performed. Clinico-histological response was defined as symptomatic improvement plus a peak eosinophil count below 15 per high-power field after treatment. Effectiveness of first-line options used in monotherapy was compared. Overall, 393 patients (64% adolescents) receiving PPI, STC, or dietary monotherapy to induce EoE remission were identified. PPI was the preferred option (71.5%), despite STC providing the highest clinico-histological response rates (66%) compared to PPI (44%) and diet (42%). Logistic regression identified fibrotic features and recruitment at Italian sites independently associated to first-line STC treatment; age under 12 associated to dietary therapy over other options. Analysis of 262 patients in whom PPI effectiveness was evaluated after median (IQR) 96 (70-145) days showed that this effectiveness was significantly associated with management at pediatric facilities and use of high PPI doses. Among PPI responders, decrease in rings and structures in endoscopy from baseline was documented, with EREFS fibrotic subscore for rings also decreasing among responders (0.27 ± 0.63 vs. 0.05 ± 0.22, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Initial therapy choice for EoE depends on endoscopic phenotype, patient's age, and patients' origin. High PPI doses and treatment in pediatric facilities significantly determined effectiveness, and reversed fibrotic endoscopic features among responders. What is Known: • Proton pump inhibitors are widely used to induce and maintain remission in EoE in real practice, despite other first-line alternative therapies possibly providing higher effectiveness. What is New: • Proton pump inhibitors represent up to two-thirds of first-line monotherapies used to induce EoE remission in pediatric and adolescent patients with EoE. The choice of STC as first-line treatment for EoE was significantly associated with fibrotic features at baseline endoscopy and recruitment in Italian centers; age less than 12 years was associated with dietary therapy. • PPI effectiveness was found to be determined by use of high doses, attendance at pediatric facilities, presenting inflammatory instead of fibrotic or mixed phenotypes, and younger age. Among responders, PPI therapy reversed both inflammatory and fibrotic features of EoE after short-term treatment.

Impact of STAT6 Variants on the Response to Proton Pump Inhibitors and Comorbidities in Patients with Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the first-line drug for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), although it is estimated that there is a lack of histological remission in 50% of patients. This research aimed to identify pharmacogenetic biomarkers predictive of PPI effectiveness and to study their association with disease features. Peak eosinophil count (PEC) and the endoscopic reference score (EREFS) were determined before and after an eight-week PPI course in 28 EoE patients. The impact of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), CYP2C19, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and ABCB1 genetic variations on baseline PEC and EREFS, their reduction and histological response, and on EoE symptoms and comorbidities was analyzed. PEC reduction was higher in omeprazole-treated patients (92.5%) compared to other PPIs (57.9%, p = 0.003). STAT6 rs12368672 (g.18453G>C) G/G genotype showed higher baseline PEC values compared to G/C and C/C genotypes (83.2 vs. 52.9, p = 0.027). EREFS reduction in STAT6 rs12368672 G/G and G/C genotypes was higher than in the C/C genotype (36.7% vs. -75.0% p = 0.011). However, significance was lost after Bonferroni correction. Heartburn incidence was higher in STAT6 rs167769 (g.27148G>A) G/G patients compared to G/A (54.55% vs. 11.77%, p = 0.030). STAT6 rs12368672G>C and rs167769G>A variants might have a relevant impact on EoE status and PPI response. Further research is warranted to clarify the clinical relevance of these variants.

Achalasia: diagnostic delay and manometric characteristics with high-resolution solid-state and perfusion equipment.

INTRODUCTION: The early diagnosis of achalasia requires a high degree of clinical suspicion, and delays in diagnosis are frequent. High-resolution oesophageal manometry (HRM) is the gold standard for its diagnostic confirmation. There are two HRM systems, perfusion and solid-state, which allow its classification into three subtypes: I, or classical; II, or with pan-oesophageal pressurization; and III, or spastic. OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and manometric characteristics of the three subtypes with high-resolution perfusion and solid-state equipment and the time of evolution until diagnosis. METHODS: This was a multicentre, observational, retrospective study of patients from the INTEGRA database of the Spanish Association of Neurogastroenterology and Motility who were diagnosed with primary achalasia confirmed by HRM, who fell under the Chicago Classification v3.0, and who had not been treated. RESULTS: The study included 110 patients (subtype I, N = 14; subtype II, N = 73; subtype III, N = 23). The HRM equipment was perfusion for 49 and solid-state for 61. The mean age was 61.8 ± 14 years (age range 44-81), the age was lower in subtype II, and the sex distribution was similar. The time of clinical evolution until diagnosis was > 12 months (51.6%), subtype II being the one that was diagnosed earlier and the most often (66.3%). Dysphagia was the most frequent symptom (90.5%). According to the comparative analysis by high-resolution perfusion and solid-state oesophageal manometry equipment, the baseline pressure of the lower oesophageal sphincter was higher in the solid-state oesophagus, but the difference was not statistically significant. The median integrated relaxation pressure at 4 seconds (IRP4) was similar (21 mmHg) between the perfusion and solid-state measurements. We describe the ranges of IRP4 in achalasia patients with both systems and confirm the possibility of achalasia even when IRP4 is within the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: Achalasia in our environment has a significant diagnostic delay. No significant differences were observed in the oesophagogastric junction between the two groups diagnosed with perfusion and solid-state equipment.

Proteomic analysis of the esophageal epithelium reveals key features of eosinophilic esophagitis pathophysiology.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic non-IgE-mediated allergic disease of the esophagus. An unbiased proteomics approach was performed to investigate pathophysiological changes in esophageal epithelium. Additionally, an RNAseq-based transcriptomic analysis in paired samples was also carried out. METHODS: Total proteins were purified from esophageal endoscopic biopsies in a cohort of adult EoE patients (n = 25) and healthy esophagus controls (n = 10). Differentially accumulated (DA) proteins in EoE patients compared to control tissues were characterized to identify altered biological processes and signaling pathways. Results were also compared with a quantitative proteome dataset of the human esophageal mucosa. Next, results were contrasted with those obtained after RNAseq analysis in paired samples. Finally, we matched up protein expression with two EoE-specific mRNA panels (EDP and Eso-EoE panel). RESULTS: A total of 1667 proteins were identified, of which 363 were DA in EoE. RNA sequencing in paired samples identified 1993 differentially expressed (DE) genes. Total RNA and protein levels positively correlated, especially in DE mRNA-proteins pairs. Pathway analysis of these proteins in EoE showed alterations in immune and inflammatory responses for the upregulated proteins, and in epithelial differentiation, cornification and keratinization in those downregulated. Interestingly, a set of DA proteins, including eosinophil-related and secreted proteins, were not detected at the mRNA level. Protein expression positively correlated with EDP and Eso-EoE, and corresponded with the most abundant proteins of the human esophageal proteome. CONCLUSIONS: We unraveled for the first time key proteomic features involved in EoE pathogenesis. An integrative analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic datasets provides a deeper insight than transcriptomic alone into understanding complex disease mechanisms.

Long Non-Coding RNA Signatures in the Ileum and Colon of Crohn's Disease Patients and Effect of Anti-TNF-α Treatment on Their Modulation.

Biological therapies only benefit one-third of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). For this reason, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which biologics elicit their effect on intestinal mucosa is needed. Increasing evidence points toward the involvement of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the pathogenesis of CD, although their role remains poorly studied. We aimed to characterize lncRNA profiles in the ileum and colon from CD patients and evaluate the effect of anti-TNF-α treatment on their transcription. Terminal ileum and left colon samples from 30 patients (active CD = 10, quiescent CD = 10, and healthy controls (HCs) = 10) were collected for RNA-seq. The patients were classified according to endoscopic activity. Furthermore, biopsies were cultured with infliximab, and their transcriptome was determined by Illumina gene expression array. A total of 678 differentially expressed lncRNAs between the terminal ileum and left colon were identified in HCs, 438 in patients with quiescent CD, and 468 in patients with active CD. Additionally, we identified three new lncRNAs in the ileum associated with CD activity. No differences were observed when comparing the effect of infliximab according to intestinal location, presence of disease (CD vs. HC), and activity (active vs. quiescent). The expression profiles of lncRNAs are associated with the location of intestinal tissue, being very different in the ileum and colon. The presence of CD and disease activity are associated with the differential expression of lncRNAs. No modulatory effect of infliximab has been observed in the lncRNA transcriptome.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. A position paper of ASENEM-SEPD.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition that was described decades ago and has recently aroused special interest among both medical professionals and the general population, likely because of increased availability of diagnostic testing and extensive coverage by the media and social networks. In view of the large amount of-often conflicting-information available, the need has arisen to develop a joint position paper of the Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva (SEPD) and Asociación Española de Neurogastroenterología y Motilidad (ASENEM) to discuss up-to-date scientific information.

Esophageal biomechanics assessed by impedance planimetry (EndoFLIPTM) in healthy subjects and in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis. Normality values.

BACKGROUND: active eosinophilic esophagitis is associated with esophageal caliber, distensibility and motility changes that may be reversed with treatment. OBJECTIVES: to study esophageal diameter, distensibility and contractility in healthy subjects compared to patients with eosinophilic esophagitis, both before and after treatment. METHODS: a quasi-experimental study, EndoFLIP™, was used to analyze the esophageal body and esophago-gastric junction (EGJ) in all three groups, and a program was designed to obtain esophageal diameter, distensibility and contractility values. RESULTS: ten healthy volunteers (24-61 years, six men) and nine patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (21-52 years, seven men) were included. The esophagogastric junction distensibility index was 5.07 mm2/Hg in the control subjects, 2.40 mm2/Hg in the subjects with eosinophilic esophagitis before treatment and 2.46 mm2/Hg after treatment. The distensibility plateau was 20.02 mm, 15.43 mm and 17.41 mm, respectively, and the diameter was 21.90 mm, 17.73 mm and 18.30 mm, showing significant differences (p < 0.05), except between control subjects and patients after treatment (p = 0.079). Repetitive antegrade contractions developed in 90 % of control subjects, 66.7 % of eosinophilic esophagitis patients before treatment and 88.9 % of the latter after treatment (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: esophago-gastric junction distensibility index, distensibility plateau and diameter values were higher in controls than in patients, although six weeks of treatment seems a short period to observe significant changes in esophageal biomechanics. Repetitive antegrade contractions are the predominant pattern in healthy subjects and eosinophilic esophagitis. We provide normality values for esophageal biomechanics, measured by impedance planimetry in our setting.

Recertification model of the Spanish scientific-medical societies. FACME.

Professional development (PD) of a medical specialist is an individualized recognition of the level achieved regarding knowledge and experience in health care, teaching, and research activity, as well as compliance with the their institution's health care and research goals.

Suspected malignant degeneration in a Zenker's diverticulum: should we biopsy it?

We report the case of an 89-year-old female who presented with progressive weight loss, oropharyngeal dysphagia and food regurgitation.

Intermittent endoscopic ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration for the diagnosis of solid pancreatic lesions. A pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: endoscopic ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is the method of choice for sampling pancreatic solid lesions. However, there is significant heterogeneity in terms of the technique used. Intermittent aspiration has not been evaluated in pancreatic solid lesions and could improve the diagnostic performance. METHODS: a single-blind, non-inferiority pilot study was performed. Patients with solid pancreatic lesions and an indication for EUS-FNA were prospectively included. Patients were randomly assigned to intermittent (IS) or continuous (CS) suction techniques. Diagnostic performance, cellularity, blood contamination and the number of passes required to reach a diagnosis were evaluated. MAIN RESULTS: thirty-three patients were assigned to CS (16 patients) or IS (17 patients). Diagnostic performance was 87.5 % for CS and 94.1 % for IS (OR 2.29, 95 % CI: 0.19-27.99, p = 0.51). In the IS group, samples had a higher cellularity (OR 1.83, 95 % CI: 0.48-6.91, p = 0.37) and lower blood contamination (OR 0.38, 95 % CI: 0.09-1.54, p = 0.18). The number of passes required to reach a diagnosis was 2.12 for CS and 1.94 for IS (p = 0.64). Liquid cytology was obtained in 73.3 % of IS and 61.5 % of CS (OR 1.72, 95 % CI: 0.35-8.50). CONCLUSIONS: the IS technique was not inferior to CS in terms of diagnostic accuracy in the evaluation of pancreatic solid lesions, with a tendency to obtain higher cellularity, lower blood contamination and the frequent presence of cell block.

Colorectal cancer surveillance with chromoendoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease: results from a real-life experience.

BACKGROUND: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are at increased risk for colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to know the prevalence of dysplasia and colorectal cancer with chromoendoscopy, to describe the characteristics and the management of the detected lesions and to identify possible risk factors of dysplasia in clinical practice. METHODS: Observational, retrospective study of all chromoendoscopies performed between January 2016 and May 2019 in patients with left-sided/extensive ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease involving more than one-third of the colon. Information about all the polyps' characteristics and the treatments received was collected. RESULTS: A total of 186 chromoendoscopies on 160 patients were reviewed; 57% were men; 54% had ulcerative colitis. The dysplasia detection rate was 24% and 212 lesions were detected: rectum (36%) and left colon (30%). Flat polyps were detected in 57% patients. In total, 123 (62%) lesions were non-neoplastic and 74 (38%) were neoplastic. Among these, 69 (93%) were low grade dysplasia and five (7%) were high grade dysplasia, all of them located in rectum. Two patients (1%) required surgery. During follow-up, no patient developed colorectal cancer. Age over 60 years, flat lesions, polyp >5 mm and right colon localization were found to be risk factors for dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports a high dysplasia detection rate (24%) via targeted chromoendoscopic biopsies. In most cases, lesions were successfully removed by endoscopic resection. Our results underline the importance of colorectal cancer surveillance in inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Efficacy of Therapy for Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Real-World Practice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Topical steroids, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and dietary interventions are recommended first- and second-line therapies for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). We investigated differences in their effectiveness in a real-world, clinical practice cohort of patients with EoE. METHODS: We collected data on the efficacy of different therapies for EoE (ability to induce clinical and histologic remission) from the multicenter EoE CONNECT database-a database of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of EoE in Europe that began in 2016. We obtained data from 589 patients, treated at 11 centers, on sex, age, time of diagnosis, starting date of any therapy, response to therapy, treatment end dates, alternative treatments, and findings from endoscopy. The baseline endoscopy was used for diagnosis of EoE; second endoscopy was performed to evaluate response to first-line therapies. After changes in treatment, generally because lack of efficacy, a last endoscopy was performed. The time elapsed between endoscopies depended on the criteria of attending physicians. Clinical remission was defined by a decrease of more than 50% in Dysphagia Symptom Score; improvement in symptoms by less than 50% from baseline was considered as clinical response. Histologic remission was defined as a peak eosinophil count below 5 eosinophils/hpf. A peak eosinophil count between 5 and 14 eosinophils/hpf was considered histologic response. We identified factors associated with therapy selection and effectiveness using χ2 and multinomial logistic regression analyses RESULTS: PPIs were the first-line treatment for 76.4% of patients, followed by topical steroids (for 10.5%) and elimination diets (for 7.8%). Topical steroids were most effective in inducing clinical and histologic remission or response (in 67.7% of patients), followed by empiric elimination diets (in 52.0%), and PPIs (in 50.2%). Among the 344 patients who switched to a second-line therapy, dietary interventions were selected for 47.1% of patients, followed by PPIs (for 29.1%) and topical steroids (for 18.6%). Clinical and histologic remission or response was achieved by 80.7% of patients treated with topical steroids, 69.2% of patients given PPIs, and 41.7% of patients on empiric elimination diets. Multivariate analyses found the stricturing phenotype of EoE to be associated with selection of topical steroids over PPIs as the first-line therapy; lack of fibrotic features at initial endoscopy was associated with selection of elimination diets over topical steroids as a second-line therapy. The recruiting center was significantly associated with therapy choice; second-line treatment with topical steroids or PPIs were the only variables associated with clinical and histologic remission. CONCLUSIONS: In an analysis of data from a large cohort of patients with EoE in Europe, we found topical steroids to be the most effective at inducing clinical and histologic remission, but PPIs to be the most frequently prescribed. Treatment approaches vary with institution and presence of fibrosis or strictures.

Step-up empiric elimination diet for pediatric and adult eosinophilic esophagitis: The 2-4-6 study.

BACKGROUND: Numerous dietary restrictions and endoscopies limit the implementation of empiric elimination diets in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Milk and wheat/gluten are the most common food triggers. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the effectiveness of a step-up dietary strategy for EoE. METHODS: We performed a prospective study conducted in 14 centers. Patients underwent a 6-week 2-food-group elimination diet (TFGED; milk and gluten-containing cereals). Remission was defined by symptom improvement and less than 15 eosinophils/high-power field. Nonresponders were gradually offered a 4-food-group elimination diet (FFGED; TFGED plus egg and legumes) and a 6-food-group elimination diet (SFGED; FFGED plus nuts and fish/seafood). In responders eliminated food groups were reintroduced individually, followed by endoscopy. RESULTS: One hundred thirty patients (25 pediatric patients) were enrolled, with 97 completing all phases of the study. A TFGED achieved EoE remission in 56 (43%) patients, with no differences between ages. Food triggers in TFGED responders were milk (52%), gluten-containing grains (16%), and both (28%). EoE induced only by milk was present in 18% and 33% of adults and children, respectively. Remission rates with FFGEDs and SFGEDs were 60% and 79%, with increasing food triggers, especially after an SFGED. Overall, 55 (91.6%) of 60 of the TFGED/FFGED responders had 1 or 2 food triggers. Compared with the initial SFGED, a step-up strategy reduced endoscopic procedures and diagnostic process time by 20%. CONCLUSIONS: A TFGED diet achieves EoE remission in 43% of children and adults. A step-up approach results in early identification of a majority of responders to an empiric diet with few food triggers, avoiding unnecessary dietary restrictions, saving endoscopies, and shortening the diagnostic process.

Colon lymphomas: an analysis of our experience over the last 23 years.

INTRODUCTION: colon lymphoma (CL) is an uncommon variety of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that represents less than 0.6% of all primary colonic neoplasms. Early diagnosis is challenging as clinical manifestations are non-specific. The goal of this review was to discuss our experience over the last few years regarding the clinical, endoscopic, histological, diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutionary characteristics of CL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: a retrospective, descriptive analysis of patients with CL diagnosed from 1994 to 2016 at the Hospital Universitario de La Princesa (Madrid, Spain) was performed. RESULTS: a total of 29 patients with CL were identified, with a median age of 67 years; 18 were male (62%). The most common clinical manifestations included abdominal pain, constitutional syndrome, diarrhea and a palpable abdominal mass. Eight (27.6%) patients were asymptomatic and six (20.6%) initially presented with surgical complications. A colonoscopy was performed in 24 patients and the most common findings included diffuse infiltration and solid growth. The most common location was the descending and sigmoid colon. The most common histological subtypes included mantle B-cell NHL and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Chemotherapy was administered to 28 patients (96.5%), surgery was performed in six (20.7%) and combined chemo-radiotherapy was administered to one patient. Median survival was 156 months. Survival was 100.0% at one year and 55.0% at ten years. CONCLUSIONS: due to the variable aspects of CL on endoscopy, a histological study of all colonic segments is required. Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice and emergency surgery followed by chemotherapy is required for complications. Primary factors associated with poorer survival include age above 65 years, relapsing disease and partial or nil responses.

Portal hypertensive polyps, a new entity?

We present a case of a 62 year old woman with history of liver cirrhosis secondary to autoimmune hepatitis, with portal hypertension and coagulopathy. Gastroscopy findings were a polypoid and polylobed lesions in the gastric antrum. These were removed and the pathological study described hyperplastic polyps with edema, vascular congestion and hyperplasia of smooth muscle, corresponding to "portal hypertensive polyps" (PHP).

Colonoscopy versus fecal immunochemical testing in colorectal-cancer screening.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy and fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) are accepted strategies for colorectal-cancer screening in the average-risk population. METHODS: In this randomized, controlled trial involving asymptomatic adults 50 to 69 years of age, we compared one-time colonoscopy in 26,703 subjects with FIT every 2 years in 26,599 subjects. The primary outcome was the rate of death from colorectal cancer at 10 years. This interim report describes rates of participation, diagnostic findings, and occurrence of major complications at completion of the baseline screening. Study outcomes were analyzed in both intention-to-screen and as-screened populations. RESULTS: The rate of participation was higher in the FIT group than in the colonoscopy group (34.2% vs. 24.6%, P<0.001). Colorectal cancer was found in 30 subjects (0.1%) in the colonoscopy group and 33 subjects (0.1%) in the FIT group (odds ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61 to 1.64; P=0.99). Advanced adenomas were detected in 514 subjects (1.9%) in the colonoscopy group and 231 subjects (0.9%) in the FIT group (odds ratio, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.97 to 2.69; P<0.001), and nonadvanced adenomas were detected in 1109 subjects (4.2%) in the colonoscopy group and 119 subjects (0.4%) in the FIT group (odds ratio, 9.80; 95% CI, 8.10 to 11.85; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects in the FIT group were more likely to participate in screening than were those in the colonoscopy group. On the baseline screening examination, the numbers of subjects in whom colorectal cancer was detected were similar in the two study groups, but more adenomas were identified in the colonoscopy group. (Funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00906997.).

Impaired esophageal motor function in eosinophilic esophagitis.

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic immunoallergic inflammatory disease of the esophagus that represents a major cause of digestive morbidity among the pediatric and young adult populations. Despite the fact that key symptoms in adults include dysphagia and food impaction, many patients lack structural changes in the esophagus to account for their complaints, which suggests the presence of underlying motor disorders and esophageal distensibility impairment. In the last few years the esophageal motility of these patients has been studied using various approaches, most particularly high-resolution manometry, ambulatory manometry, and impedance planimetry. This review focuses on the most relevant findings and scientific evidence regarding esophageal motor disorders in eosinophilic esophagitis.

Hypercontractile esophagus: Clinical context and motors findings in high resolution manometry.

BACKGROUND: Hypercontractile esophagus (HE) is a primary hypercontractile disorder of the esophageal musculature not frequently seen in the general population. It is characterized by the presence of at least one contraction with a very high amplitude and duration (DCI > 8,000 mmHg/s/cm) in patients with esophageal symptoms. The aim of our study was to assess the clinical context and manometric characteristics in patients with HE using highresolution manometry (HRM). METHODS: We thoroughly reviewed the clinical features and manometric findings of a total of 720 patients with esophageal symptoms that were attended in the Department of Gastroenterology of our hospital between June 2011 and June 2013. RESULTS: We found seven patients that met criteria for HE according to the Chicago Classification (2012). All of the patients were women (100%). Mean age was 64 years old. Most frequent symptoms were: Chest pain, dysphagia and heartburn.In one patient (14%) the HE was related to a gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) outflow obstruction. Three patients (43%) had more than one hypercontractile contraction in the study. Four patient (57%) hade multipeaked pattern (Jackhammer esophagus) and y two of them were synchronized with respiration. Two patients (29%) were diagnosed with hiatus hernias. Integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) was not higher in hypercontractile contractions than in normal contractions. Only one patient presented a slight alteration of the relaxation (IRP-4s = 15 mmHg) with normal peristalsis, GEJ outflow obstruction and not multipeakeded pattern. One patient presented pathological acid exposure (PAE) in 24-hours pH-metry. CONCLUSIONS: HE is a rare disorder and HRM is essential for its correct diagnosis and characterization. The treatment of HE should achieve the disappearance or at least improvement of the patient´s symptoms and avoid unnecessary diagnostic testing.

Normal values for water-perfused esophageal high-resolution manometry.

BACKGROUND: Normal values for water-perfused esophageal high-resolution manometry have still not been established in our environment, despite its generalized use and the recommendation to determine reference values for each Motility Unit based on their equipment. Normal values established with solid-state highresolution manometry are currently being used as reference values for water-perfused high-resolution manometry. OBJECTIVES: To obtain normal values for water-perfused esophageal high-resolution manometry, based on the esophageal motility analysis of healthy subjects. METHODS: 16 healthy volunteers without history of digestive complaints or esophageal symptoms were included. 22-channel water-perfused high-resolution manometry was performed. RESULTS: Normal values were calculated as 5th-95th percentile ranges for the following parameters; upper esophageal sphincter resting pressure (UESRP) (40-195 mmHg); upper esophageal sphincter residual pressure (UESResP) (30-115 mmHg), contractile front velocity (CFV) (2.4-7.1 cm/s), distal contractile integral (DCI) (285-2820 mmHg.s.cm), distal contraction latency (DL) (6.1-10.9 s), intrabolus pressure (IBP) (7-19 mmHg), integrated relaxation pressure (IRP 4s) (2-20 mmHg), lower esophageal sphincter resting pressure(LESRP) (5-54 mmHg), esophageal shortening (Es) (0.3-1.3 cm) and lower esophageal sphincter lift (LESL) (0,1-1,2 cm). CONCLUSION: Normal values for the most important parameters (such as IRP 4s, DL and CFV), obtained using a 22-channel waterperfused system resemble previously published data from other perfusion devices. However, there exist small but significant variations compared with values established with solid-state highresolution manometry. Thus, when using water-perfused catheters, caution is required when normative values are used that were established with solid-state catheters.