Intestinal metaplasia of the gastric cardia: findings in patients with versus without Barrett's esophagus.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There is controversy about finding intestinal metaplasia (IM) of the gastric cardia on biopsy. The most recent American College of Gastroenterology guideline comments that IM cardia is not more common in patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE). It provides limited guidance on whether the cardia should be treated when patients with BE undergo endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) and whether the cardia should undergo biopsy after ablation. The aims of our study were to determine the frequency in the proximal stomach of (1) histologic gastric cardia mucosa and (2) IM cardia. A third aim was to explore the frequency of advanced pathology (dysplasia and adenocarcinoma) in the cardia after patients with BE have undergone EET. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy between January 2008 and December 2014 who had proximal stomach biopsies were included. Patients who had histologically confirmed BE were compared with those without BE. RESULTS: Four hundred sixty-two patients, 289 with BE and 173 without BE, were included. Histologically confirmed cardiac mucosa was found in 81.6% of all patients. This was more frequent in those with versus without BE (86% vs 75%; odds ratio [OR], 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-3.32; P = .003). IM cardia was more common in the BE group (17% vs 7%; OR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.38-5.19; P = .004). Advanced pathology was more likely in the patients with BE who had undergone EET. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac mucosa is present in most patients who undergo endoscopy for upper GI symptoms. IM cardia is more common in patients with BE than those without. Advanced histologic changes in the cardia were seen only in the subgroup of patients with BE who had undergone EET.

Opioid-Induced Esophageal Dysfunction (OIED) in Patients on Chronic Opioids.

OBJECTIVES: Bowel dysfunction has been recognized as a predominant side effect of opioid use. Even though the effects of opioids on the stomach and small and large intestines have been well studied, there are limited data on opioid effects on esophageal function. The aim of this study was to compare esophageal pressure topography (EPT) of patients taking opioids at the time of the EPT (≤24 h) with chronic opioid users who were studied off opioid medications for at least 24 h using the Chicago classification v3.0. METHODS: A retrospective review identified 121 chronic opioid users who completed EPT between March 2010 and August 2012. Demographic and manometric data were compared between the two groups using general linear models or χ(2). RESULTS: Of the 121 chronic opioid users, 66 were studied on opioid medications (≤24 h) and 55 were studied off opioid medications for at least 24 h. Esophagogastric junction (EGJ) outflow obstruction was significantly more prevalent in patients using opioids within 24 h compared with those who did not (27% vs. 7%, P=0.004). Mean 4 s integrated relaxation pressure was also significantly higher in patients studied on opioids (10.71 vs. 6.6 mm Hg, P=0.025). Resting lower esophageal sphincter pressures tended to be higher on opioids (31.61 vs. 26.98 mm Hg, P=0.25). Distal latency was significantly lower in patients studied on opioids (6.15 vs. 6.74 s, P=0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Opioid use within 24 h of EPT is associated with more frequent EGJ outflow obstruction and spastic peristalsis compared with when opioid use is stopped for at least 24 h before the study.

Esophageal peristaltic defects in adults with functional dysphagia.

Functional dysphagia (FD) is characterized by the presence of dysphagia without evidence of mechanical esophageal obstruction, GERD, and histopathology-based esophageal motor disorders. Dysphagia is common in older patients; however, there is a paucity of information regarding the type and frequency of peristaltic abnormalities compared to younger patients. Based on recently validated criteria for classification of weak peristalsis using high-resolution manometry (HRM), we hypothesized that older patients with FD would have more peristaltic defects detected by HRM compared to younger FD patients. A retrospective review of our motility database yielded 65 patients that met inclusion criteria. Patients were divided into two groups based on age (younger: <70 years; older: ≥70 years). Patients were interviewed, completed a quality-of-life questionnaire, and underwent solid-state HRM. The two groups differed in age but in no other demographic characteristics, severity of dysphagia, or quality of life. Dyspeptic symptoms, including nausea (p < 0.001), early satiety (p = 0.01), bloating (p = 0.02), and belching (p = 0.01), were also more prevalent in younger FD patients. Older age was associated with weak peristalsis involving frequent failed peristalsis, small proximal peristaltic defects (2-5 cm), and large proximal peristaltic defects (>5 cm) (p < 0.001). The mean contraction amplitude was also lower in the older group (p < 0.05). These data support the hypothesis that older patients with FD have a higher frequency of peristaltic abnormalities on HRM compared to younger patients. Older age was associated with increased frequency of weak peristalsis with small and large peristaltic defects.

Self-dilation as a treatment for resistant, benign esophageal strictures.

GOALS AND BACKGROUND: Simple benign strictures may be relieved with one to three dilation sessions. Resistant benign strictures are anatomically complex and resistant to therapy. We sought to determine the efficacy and safety of esophageal self-dilation with bougie dilators in the largest series to date. STUDY: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients who underwent esophageal self-dilation at two tertiary referral centers (Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona and Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota) between January 1, 2003 and June 30, 2012. Demographic details and clinical information regarding relief of dysphagia, complications, and frequency of endoscopic and self-dilation were abstracted. RESULTS: Of the 32 patients who began self-dilation for nonmalignant strictures, 30 [22 men; median (range) age, 62 years (22-86 years)] were included in the study. Median (range) follow-up was 37 months (14-281 months). Stricture etiology included radiation therapy (n = 8), anastomotic stricture (n = 9), eosinophilic esophagitis (n = 4), caustic ingestion (n = 3), photodynamic therapy (n = 2), granulation tissue (n = 2), peptic stricture (n = 1) and one patient had radiation therapy and peptic stricture. The average number (range) of physician performed dilations before self-dilation was 12 (4-55). Esophageal self-dilation was successful in treating 90 % of patients. Dysphagia score (2 vs. 1; P < 0.001), stricture diameter (median; 5 vs. 12 mm; P < 0.001) and weight (median; 73 vs. 77 kg; P < 0.001) were significantly different between EDG dilation versus self-dilation. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal self-dilation is a safe, effective treatment for resistant, benign esophageal strictures. This management strategy should be strongly considered in this patient population.

Interrater and intrarater agreement of the chicago classification of achalasia subtypes using high-resolution esophageal manometry.

OBJECTIVES: Subclassification of achalasia based on high-resolution manometry (HRM) may be clinically relevant because response to therapy may vary by subtype. However, the consistency and reliability of subtyping achalasia patients based on HRM remains undefined. The objectives of this study were to assess interrater and intrarater agreement (reliability) of achalasia subtyping using the Chicago classification, and to evaluate the diagnostic consistency between clinicians interpreting HRM. METHODS: After receiving training on the classification criteria, five raters classified 20 achalasia and 10 non-achalasia cases in separate sessions 1 week apart. To further assess agreement, two raters classified all 101 available achalasia HRMs. Agreement for the classification of subtypes of achalasia was calculated using Cohen's κ and Krippendorff's α-reliability estimate. RESULTS: Estimates of agreement among raters was good during both sessions (α=0.75; 95% confidence interval=0.69, 0.81 and α=0.75; 95% confidence interval=0.68, 0.81). Both interrater (κ=0.86-1.0) and intrarater (κ=0.86-1.0) agreement were very good for type III achalasia. Agreement between types I and II was more variable. Reliability was improved when type I and type II were combined (α=0.84; 95% confidence interval=0.78, 0.89). When all available cases were classified by two experienced raters, agreement was very good (κ=0.81; 95% confidence interval=0.71, 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Interobserver and intraobserver agreement for differentiating achalasia from non-achalasia patients using HRM and the Chicago classification was very good to excellent. More variability was seen in agreement when classifying achalasia subtypes. The most variation was observed in classification between type I and type II achalasia, which have similar characteristics. Clearly, differentiating between panesophageal pressurization and compartmentalization should improve discrimination between these subtypes.

Proton pump inhibitor therapy use does not predispose to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

OBJECTIVES: Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) occurs due to alteration of the microbiota within the upper gastrointestinal tract. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy has been suggested as a risk factor for SIBO; however, the published reports have yielded conflicting results on the association between PPI therapy and risk of developing SIBO. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of SIBO as measured by glucose hydrogen breath testing (GHBT) in patients on PPI therapy compared with those not on PPI therapy. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was completed for all patients who underwent GHBT testing from 2004 to 2010. Breath samples for hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) were collected before and every 20 min for 120 min following ingestion of a 50-g oral glucose load. We used the following criteria to define a positive GHBT (a) increase in H2 > 20 parts per million (p.p.m.) over baseline, (b) sustained rise H2 > 10 p.p.m. over baseline, (c) CH4 > 15 p.p.m. over baseline, and (d) either rise H2 > 20 p.p.m. over baseline or CH4 > 15 p.p.m. RESULTS: A total of 1,191 patients (70% female) were included, of whom 566 (48%) were on PPI therapy. GHBT positivity did not differ significantly between PPI users and nonusers by any of the diagnostic criteria used and PPI use was not significantly associated with GHBT positivity using any of these criteria. GHBT positivity was associated with older age (odds ratio (OR) 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.04) and antidiarrheal use (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.15-3.44) using H2 > 20, older age (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.02) and diarrhea (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.13-2.09) using H2 > 10, and older age (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.02) using either H2 > 20 or CH4 > 15. PPI use was not significantly associated with GHBT positivity using any of these criteria. CONCLUSIONS: In this large, adequately powered equivalence study, PPI use was not found to be significantly associated with the presence of SIBO as determined by the GHBT.

Comparison of the impact of wireless versus catheter-based pH-metry on daily activities and study-related symptoms.

AIMS: To evaluate the variation in tolerance to wireless pH-metry compared with catheter-based pH-metry, and to determine clinical characteristics that might predict reduced tolerance to wireless pH-metry. METHODS: Consecutive outpatients (n=341) completing wireless (n=234) or catheter-based pH-metry (n=106) were evaluated. All patients completed the pH-Metry Impact Scale and the pH-Metry Symptoms Scale to assess the impact of the pH-metry on activities of daily living and pH-metry associated changes in study-related symptoms. All data are presented as mean (SD) or odds ratios (95% confidence interval). RESULTS: The impact of pH-metry on activities of daily living were modest, but wireless pH-metry had less impact than catheter-based pH-metry (P=0.01). A sense of foreign body in the chest, chest discomfort, and chest pain were reported more frequently during wireless pH-metry. Difficulty swallowing and painful swallowing were more common during catheter-based pH-metry. Noncardiac chest pain was associated with increased symptom severity. Patients with poor tolerance were twice as likely to have a diagnosis of noncardiac chest pain (odds ratio=2. 53; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-4.6). CONCLUSIONS: Wireless pH-metry has less of an impact on activities of daily living but is not associated with fewer study-related symptoms compared with catheter-based pH-metry. The prevalence of specific study-related symptoms does differ between the 2 groups and noncardiac chest pain seems to be the primary risk factor for more severe study-related symptoms and reduced tolerance for wireless pH-metry. This information may be useful in helping to decide which patients should undergo the wireless pH-metry or receive additional counseling on procedural expectations.

Self dilation as a treatment for resistant benign esophageal strictures: outcome, technique, and quality of life assessment.

BACKGROUND: Resistant benign esophageal strictures can have a negative impact on patients' quality of life. A portion of these patients require frequent physician performed dilations, leading to numerous interactions with their attendant inconvenience and sense of dependence. This study demonstrates the efficacy, safety and effect on quality of life of this under-utilized technique. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients undergoing esophageal self dilation at our institution between January 2003 and November 2009. The impact on quality of life was evaluated using a telephone questionnaire specifically designed to explore emotional, social and financial impacts. RESULTS: Of the 11 patients who initially began self dilation for non-malignant strictures, nine are included in this study. Median follow-up was 35.4 months (range 6-168). No significant complications were reported. When asked to compare self dilation with physician performed dilation a large proportion of patients reported financial benefits, and a majority reported being more socially active. Overall quality of life improvement was reported by almost all of the participants in the study. Global scores for dysphagia and overall quality of life were significantly improved under conditions of self dilation versus physician performed dilation (P = 0.008 and P = 0.016, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that esophageal self dilation can be a safe and effective treatment modality in motivated patients with benign resistant esophageal strictures. Esophageal self dilation has a positive impact on emotional, social, and financial aspects of patient's life. Self dilation should be considered a treatment option in all patients with benign resistant esophageal strictures.