Number of reflux episodes on pH-impedance monitoring associates with improved symptom outcome and treatment satisfaction in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients with regurgitation.

OBJECTIVE: Number of reflux episodes, an adjunctive metric on pH-impedance monitoring, is incompletely studied. We aimed to determine if number of reflux episodes associates with therapeutic outcome in regurgitation predominant gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). DESIGN: We performed post hoc analysis of postintervention pH-impedance data from adult patients with moderate/severe regurgitation despite QD proton pump inhibitor (PPI), randomised to either two times a day PPI or magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) in 2:1 allocation. After 6 and 12 months, symptom response was defined by improvement in Foregut Symptom Questionnaire (FSQ) regurgitation score to none or minimal, ≥50% reduction in GERD health-related quality of life (HRQL) score and satisfaction with therapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine predictors of symptom improvement. RESULTS: Of 152 randomised patients, 123 (age 46.9±1.2 year, 43% female) had complete data. Symptom and satisfaction scores significantly improved after MSA compared with two times a day PPI. Both acid exposure time (13.4%±0.7% to 1.3±0.2%, p<0.001) and reflux episodes (86±4 to 48±4, p<0.001) declined with therapy. Reduction to <40 reflux episodes was significantly more frequent in those with symptom response by FSQ regurgitation score, GERD HRQL score and satisfaction with therapy (p≤0.03 for each); <35 episodes performed better on receiver operating characteristic analysis. On multivariate analysis, improvement in regurgitation score remained independently predictive of satisfaction with therapy (p<0.001 for each). In patients crossing over to MSA, >80 episodes pretreatment predicted improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction of reflux episodes on pH-impedance to physiological levels associates with improved outcomes, while pathological levels predict improvement with MSA in regurgitation predominant GERD. TRAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02505945.

Prevalence of Barrett's Esophagus in Female Patients With Scleroderma.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic sclerosis or scleroderma (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease that renders the esophagus prone to significant gastroesophageal reflux due to impaired esophageal clearance and reduced lower esophageal sphincter pressure. The reported prevalence of Barrett's esophagus (BE) in women with SSc varies from 2% to 37% and is derived from older studies with small sample sizes. We aimed to assess the prevalence of BE in a large cohort of women with SSc. METHODS: Women with SSc referred from the Mayo Clinic Arizona Rheumatology Clinic who completed esophagogastroduodenoscopy between 2002 and 2020 were included. Demographic and high-resolution manometry data were evaluated. The diagnosis of scleroderma was confirmed by an expert rheumatologist. The BE diagnosis was confirmed by an expert gastrointestinal pathologist. RESULTS: There were 235 women with SSc who underwent EGD. High-resolution manometry (HRM) was completed in 172 patients. Women with SSc with BE were significantly more likely to have scleroderma esophagus (absent contractility with hypotensive lower esophageal sphincter) on HRM than women with SSc without BE (P = 0.018). There were 30 patients with SSc (12.8%) with histologically proven BE. Dysplasia was found in 13 (43.3%): 4 with indefinite, 7 with low grade, and 2 with adenocarcinoma. The incidence of any dysplasia was 5.3% per year (0.9% per year for adenocarcinoma). DISCUSSION: This the largest study on prevalence of BE in women with SSc, yielding a prevalence of 12.8%. Women with SSc with BE were significantly more likely to have absent contractility with hypotensive lower esophageal sphincter findings on HRM. The high prevalence and incidence of dysplasia found suggest that women with SSc should be included in the screening recommendations for BE.

Diagnostic Evaluation of Gastric Motor and Sensory Disorders.

Disorders of gastric motor and sensory function affect 10%-20% of the world's population and adversely impact nutrition, quality of life, work productivity, and health care costs. Classifying these disorders can be challenging given the heterogeneity of symptom presentation, the presence of symptoms unexplained by endoscopic, radiographic and/or laboratory evaluation, and overlap with other luminal gastrointestinal disorders. Accurately diagnosing these highly prevalent disorders relies upon an understanding of epidemiology and risk factors, the ability to take a careful clinical history focused on symptoms, and the presence of predisposing medical, surgical, and psychological conditions. A variety of diagnostic studies are now available to assess gastric motor function and identify maladaptive relaxation, accommodation, and abnormal sensation. FDA-approved treatment options are limited and thus many patients undergo a series of empirical treatment trials that target individual symptoms, often without much benefit. This article provides updated recommendations for identifying and classifying the most common gastric motor and sensory disorders using currently accepted diagnostic tests, and provides a brief supplemental overview on treatment options. "Things sweet to taste prove in digestion sour." -Shakespeare, Richard II, 1595.

Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing on the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Upright Gastroesophageal Reflux: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Uncontrolled results suggest that diaphragmatic breathing (DB) is effective in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) but the mechanism of action and rigor of proof is lacking. This study aimed to determine the effects of DB on reflux, lower esophageal sphincter (LES), and gastric pressures in patients with upright GERD and controls. METHODS: Adult patients with pH proven upright GERD were studied. During a high-resolution impedance manometry, study patients received a standardized pH neutral refluxogenic meal followed by LES challenge maneuvers (Valsalva and abdominal hollowing) while randomized to DB or sham. After that, patients underwent 48 hours of pH-impedance monitoring, with 50% randomization to postprandial DB during the second day. RESULTS: On examining 23 patients and 10 controls, postprandial gastric pressure was found to be significantly higher in patients compared with that in controls (12 vs 7 mm Hg, P = 0.018). Valsalva maneuver produced reflux in 65.2% of patients compared with 44.4% of controls (P = 0.035). LES increased during the inspiratory portion of DB (42.2 vs 23.1 mm Hg, P < 0.001) in patients and healthy persons. Postprandial DB reduced the number of postprandial reflux events in patients (0.36 vs 2.60, P < 0.001) and healthy subjects (0.00 vs 1.75, P < 0.001) compared with observation. During 48-hour ambulatory study, DB reduced the reflux episodes on day 2 compared with observation on day 1 in both the patient and control groups (P = 0.049). In patients, comparing DB with sham, total acid exposure on day 2 was not different (10.2 ± 7.9 vs 9.4 ± 6.2, P = 0.804). In patients randomized to DB, esophageal acid exposure in a 2-hour window after the standardized meal on day 1 vs day 2 reduced from 11.8% ±6.4 to 5.2% ± 5.1, P = 0.015. DISCUSSION: In patients with upright GERD, DB reduces the number of postprandial reflux events pressure by increasing the difference between LES and gastric pressure. These data further encourage studying DB as therapy for GERD.

Gastroparesis and Severity of Delayed Gastric Emptying: Comparison of Patient Characteristics, Treatments and Medication Adverse Events.

BACKGROUND: Gastroparesis is a heterogeneous disorder. Patient characteristics and treatment responsiveness may differ based on the extent of delay in gastric emptying. AIMS: Characterize gastroparesis patients based on the degree of delay in gastric emptying, and assess the relationship of patient demographics, symptoms and response to therapy based on the extent of delay. METHODS: 1333 solid-phase 4-h scintigraphic gastric emptying scans were reviewed. Delayed emptying was categorized on percent retention at 4 h: mild (10-19%), moderate (20-29%), and severe (≥ 30%). Analyses were performed with regard to demographics, symptoms, esophagogastroduodenoscopy findings, medication use, and emergency department (ED) visits/hospitalizations. RESULTS: 284 patients had delayed gastric emptying: mild (42.6%), moderate (19.3%), and severe (37.3%). 79.5% were women, the mean age was 45 years (± 15), and mean symptom duration was 4.6 years (± 6.5). The main categories of gastroparesis were idiopathic and diabetes mellitus. The most commonly prescribed medications were metoclopramide, domperidone and erythromycin. Opiate use (n = 69) was associated with an increased degree of delayed gastric emptying (p = 0.03) with 50% of opiate users having very delayed gastric emptying. One-way analysis revealed that severely delayed gastric emptying correlated with both increased hospitalizations and ED visits. CONCLUSIONS: Severe delay in gastric emptying is a risk factor for increased hospitalizations and ED visits. Opiate use correlates with increased severity of gastric emptying. Identifying at-risk patients, stopping opioids, and instituting a programmatic care plan for patients with severely delayed gastric emptying may reduce ED visits, hospitalizations, and healthcare costs.

Interobserver Agreement for Classifying Post-liver Transplant Biliary Strictures in Donation After Circulatory Death Donors.

INTRODUCTION: Biliary strictures are a common complication of donation after circulatory death (DCD) liver transplantation (LT) and require multiple endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures. Three classification systems, based on cholangiograms, have been proposed for categorizing post-LT biliary strictures. We examined the interobserver agreement for each of the three classifications. METHODS: DCD LT recipients from 2012 through March 2017 undergoing ERCP for biliary strictures were included in the study. Initial cholangiograms delineating the entire biliary tree prior to endoscopic intervention were selected. One representative cholangiogram was selected from each ERCP. Five interventional endoscopists independently viewed each anonymized cholangiogram and classified the post-LT stricture according to each of the three classification systems. The Ling classification proposes four types of post-LT strictures based on their location. The Lee classification proposes four classes based on location and number of intrahepatic strictures. The binary system classifies strictures into anastomotic or non-anastomotic types. The Krippendorff's alpha reliability estimate was used to grade the strength of agreement as "poor," "fair," "moderate," "good," or "excellent" for values between 0-0.20, 0.21-0.4, 0.41-0.6, 0.61-0.08, and 0.81-1, respectively. RESULTS: One hundred DCD LT recipients (age 57.07 ± 8.8 years; 71 males) were initially evaluated. Of these, 49 patients who underwent 206 ERCP procedures for biliary strictures were included in the analysis. One hundred thirty-nine cholangiograms were selected and subsequently classified by five endoscopists. Interobserver agreement for post-LT biliary strictures was 0.354 for Ling classification (fair agreement), 0.405 for Lee classification (fair agreement), and 0.421 for the binary classification (moderate agreement). The binary classification provided the least amount of detail regarding the location and number of biliary strictures. DISCUSSION: The currently available classification systems for assessing post-LT biliary strictures have sub-optimal interobserver agreement. A better-designed classification system is needed for categorizing post-LT biliary strictures.

Gastric Emptying Scans: Poor Adherence to National Guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Accurately diagnosing gastroparesis relies upon gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES) being performed correctly. Jointly published protocol guidelines have long been available; however, the extent to which practitioners adhere to these guidelines is unknown. AIMS: This study aimed to assess national compliance with established GES protocol guidelines. METHODS: We developed a questionnaire addressing the key protocol measures outlined in the Consensus Recommendations for Gastric Emptying Scintigraphy. Survey questions addressed patient information collection (15), patient preparation and procedure protocol (16), meal content and preparation (7), imaging (3), interpretation (4), reporting (7), and institutional demographic data (7). The anonymous questionnaire was distributed electronically to members of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging (SNMMI) and non-member recipients of the SNMMI daily email newsletter. One response per medical institution was permitted. RESULTS: A total of 121 out of 872 potential medical institutions (MI) responded (13.9%); 49 (40.4%) were academic/teaching medical centers. The annual number (mean) of GES procedures was 199.9 (range 5-2000 GES/year). On average, MI performed 33.5/52 (64%) of protocol measures according to guidelines while academic medical centers performed 31.5/52 (61%) of protocol measures according to guidelines. Only 4 out of 88 MI (4.5%) performed GES while adhering to three critical measures: validated study duration; controlled blood glucose levels; and proper restriction of medications. CONCLUSIONS: Low compliance with GES protocol guidelines, even among academic medical centers, raises the likely possibility of misdiagnosis and improper management of upper gastrointestinal symptoms. These results highlight a need for increased awareness of protocol guidelines for gastric scintigraphy.

Opioids Interfere With Deglutitive Inhibition Assessed by Response to Multiple Rapid Swallows During High-Resolution Esophageal Manometry.

INTRODUCTION: Normal response to multiple rapid swallows (MRS) during high-resolution esophageal manometry is deglutitive inhibition; opioids may interfere with this. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response to MRS in patients on opioids, not on opioids, and healthy controls. METHODS: Response to MRS was evaluated for complete vs impaired inhibition in 72 chronic opioid users, 100 patients not on opioids, and 24 healthy controls. RESULTS: Impaired deglutitive inhibition was significantly more frequent in chronic opioid users compared with patients not on opioids and healthy controls (54% vs 14% vs 0%; P < 0.0001). DISCUSSION: Impaired deglutitive inhibition during MRS is frequent in opioid users, supporting that opioids interfere with esophageal inhibitory signals.

Postobesity Surgery Esophageal Dysfunction: A Combined Cross-Sectional Prevalence Study and Retrospective Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Esophageal dysmotility including features of achalasia may develop because of bariatric surgery. However, the prevalence of these complications is unknown. We sought to define the prevalence of dysphagia and major esophageal motility disorders including achalasia after bariatric surgery through a large retrospective database review. METHODS: Patients with a history of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass who underwent a diagnostic high-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) either before or after bariatric surgery across 3 large tertiary referral sites from June 2012 through February 2019 were identified from a procedural database. HRIM studies were interpreted per the Chicago classification v3.0 by a blinded investigator (K.R.). Demographic/clinical features were collected. In addition, patients who underwent bariatric surgery from January 2014 to April 2015 were contacted and administered a validated symptom assessment survey to gauge the overall prevalence of dysphagia in a postbariatric population. RESULTS: A total of 137 patients were identified, including 97 who underwent HRIM after bariatric surgery (laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy [n = 39, 40.1%]; Roux-en-Y gastric bypass [n = 58, 59.8%]) at a median of 5.84 years (interquartile range 2.1-12.5) postoperatively and 40 preoperative bariatric surgery candidates with medically complicated obesity. A manometric pattern consistent with achalasia was identified in 7 (7.2%) postsurgical patients compared with none in the preoperative group (P = 0.08). We further identified a separate achalasia-like pattern defined by aperistalsis and increased intragastric pressure (postobesity surgery esophageal dysfunction [POSED]) in 5 (5.2%) postsurgical patients vs none found preoperatively (P = 0.14). Achalasia or POSED was associated with postbariatric surgery (12.4% vs 0%, P = 0.02). Increasing time since surgery was independently associated with the development of achalasia (median 12.5 vs 5.8 years, P = 0.02), POSED (median 15.0 vs 5.8 years, P = 0.02) and major motility disorders (6.6 vs 4.9 years, P = 0.01). Furthermore, among 271 postbariatric surgery patients contacted for symptom assessment via survey, the prevalence of dysphagia was 13.7% at a mean 3.9 years after surgery. DISCUSSION: Postoperative dysphagia is a common long-term complication of bariatric surgery. This is potentially the consequence of a time-dependent association with the development of postoperative esophageal dysmotility, particularly achalasia and POSED. Consequently, esophageal dysmotility may be an important under-recognized complication of bariatric surgery.

Esophageal Hypervigilance and Visceral Anxiety Are Contributors to Symptom Severity Among Patients Evaluated With High-Resolution Esophageal Manometry.

OBJECTIVES: Symptoms are inconsistently associated with esophageal motor findings on high-resolution manometry (HRM). We aimed to evaluate predictors of dysphagia severity, including esophageal hypervigilance and visceral anxiety, among patients evaluated with HRM. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing HRM at 4 academic medical centers (United States and France) were prospectively evaluated. HRM was completed and analyzed per the Chicago Classification v3.0. Validated symptom scores, including the Brief Esophageal Dysphagia Questionnaire and Esophageal Hypervigilance and Anxiety Scale, were completed at the time of HRM. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-six patients, aged 18-85 (mean 53) years, 65% female, were included. Approximately 59 (25%) patients had a major motor disorder on HRM: 19 achalasia, 24 esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, 12 absent contractility, and 4 jackhammer. Approximately 177 (75%) patients did not have a major motor disorder: 71 ineffective esophageal motility and 106 normal motility. Having a major motor disorder was a significant predictor of dysphagia severity (Radj = 0.049, P < 0.001), but the Esophageal Hypervigilance and Anxiety Scale score carried a predictive relationship of Brief Esophageal Dysphagia Questionnaire that was 2-fold higher than having a major motor disorder: Radj = 0.118 (P < 0.001). This finding remained when evaluated by the major motor disorder group. HRM metrics were nonsignificant. DISCUSSION: In a prospective, international multicenter study, we found that esophageal hypervigilance and visceral anxiety were the strongest predictors of dysphagia severity among patients evaluated with HRM. Thus, an assessment of esophageal hypervigilance and visceral anxiety is important to incorporate when evaluating symptom severity in clinical practice and research studies.

Baseline Impedance Measured During High-resolution Esophageal Impedance Manometry in Patients With Rumination Syndrome is as Abnormal as in Patients With GERD.

GOALS AND BACKGROUND: Baseline impedance measured during high-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) can distinguish patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) from controls, presumably due to differences in esophageal acid exposure. The characteristics of regurgitation and reflux in rumination syndrome and GERD are very different, and thus we investigated whether baseline esophageal impedance would differ in these 2 patient groups compared with controls. STUDY: We compared 20 patients with rumination syndrome with 20 patients who had GERD and 40 controls. Baseline impedance was measured over 15 seconds during the landmark period of HRIM in all 18 impedance sensors on a HRIM catheter. RESULTS: The mean distal baseline impedance measured in ohms during HRIM was 1336 Ω [95% confidence interval (CI)=799, 1873) in patients with GERD, 1536 Ω in rumination syndrome (95% CI=1012, 2061), and 3379 Ω in controls (95% CI=2999, 3759) (P<0.0001). Proximal impedance was significantly lower in the GERD and rumination groups compared with controls; rumination syndrome (2026; 95% CI=1493, 2559 Ω), GERD (2572; 95% CI=2027, 3118 Ω), and controls (3412; 95% CI=3026, 3798 Ω) (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Baseline impedance measured during HRIM in patients with rumination syndrome is significantly lower than controls and appears similar to patients with GERD both in the proximal and distal esophagus. These findings suggest that the postprandial regurgitation in rumination syndrome alters both the distal and proximal esophageal mucosal barrier.

Response to multiple rapid swallows shows impaired inhibitory pathways in distal esophageal spasm patients with and without concomitant esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction.

Distal esophageal spasm (DES) is a motility disorder characterized by premature contraction of the esophageal body during single swallows. It is thought to be due to impairment of esophageal inhibitory pathways, but studies to support this are limited. The normal response to multiple rapid swallows (MRS) is deglutitive inhibition of the esophageal body during the MRS sequence. Our aim was to compare the response to MRS in DES patients and healthy control subjects. Response to MRS during HRM was evaluated in 19 DES patients (8 with and 11 without concomitant esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction [EGJOO]) and 24 asymptomatic healthy controls. Patients with prior gastroesophageal surgery, peroral endoscopic myotomy, pneumatic dilation, esophageal botulinum toxin injection within 6 months of HRM, opioid medication use, and esophageal stricture were excluded. Response to MRS was evaluated for complete versus impaired inhibition (esophageal body contractility with distal contractile integral [DCI] > 100 mmHg-sec-cm during MRS), presence of post-MRS contraction augmentation (DCI post MRS greater than single swallow mean DCI), and integrated relaxation pressure (IRP). Impaired deglutitive inhibition during MRS was significantly more frequent in DES compared to controls (89% vs. 0%, P < 0.001), and frequency was similar for DES with versus without concomitant EGJOO (100% vs. 82%, P = 0.48). The proportion of subjects with augmentation post MRS was similar for both groups (37% vs. 38%, P = 1.00), but mean DCI post MRS was higher in DES than controls (3360.0 vs. 1238.9, P = 0.009). IRP was lower during MRS compared to single swallows in all patients, and IRP during MRS was normal in 5 of 8 patients with DES and EGJOO. Our study suggests that impaired deglutitive inhibition during MRS is present in the majority of patients with DES regardless of whether they have concomitant EGJOO, and future studies should explore the usefulness of incorporating response to MRS in the diagnosis of DES.

Opioid-Induced Esophageal Dysfunction: Differential Effects of Type and Dose.

OBJECTIVE: Data regarding opioid effects on esophageal function are limited. We previously demonstrated an association between chronic opioid use and esophageal motor dysfunction characterized by esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, distal esophageal spasm, achalasia type III, and possibly Jackhammer esophagus. Our aim was to characterize the influence of different opioids and doses on esophageal dysfunction. METHODS: Retrospective review of 225 patients prescribed oxycodone, hydrocodone, or tramadol for >3 months, who completed high-resolution manometry from 2012 to 2017. Demographic and manometric data were extracted from a prospectively maintained motility database. Frequency of opioid-induced esophageal dysfunction (OIED, defined as distal esophageal spasm, esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, achalasia type III, or Jackhammer esophagus on high-resolution manometry, was compared among different opioids. The total 24-hour opioid doses for oxycodone, hydrocodone, and tramadol were converted to a morphine equivalent for dose effect analysis. RESULTS: OIED was present in 24% (55 of 225) of opioid users. OIED was significantly more prevalent with oxycodone or hydrocodone use compared with tramadol (31% vs 28% vs 12%, P = 0.0162), and for oxycodone alone vs oxycodone with acetaminophen (43% vs 21%, P = 0.0482). There was no difference in OIED for patients taking hydrocodone alone vs hydrocodone with acetaminophen. Patients with OIED were taking a higher median 24-hour opioid dose than those without OIED (45 vs 30 mg, P = 0.058). DISCUSSION: OIED is more prevalent in patients taking oxycodone or hydrocodone compared with tramadol. There is greater likelihood of OIED developing with higher doses. Reducing the opioid dose or changing to tramadol may reduce OIED in opioid users.

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.

Unilateral Versus Bilateral Lung Transplantation: Do Different Esophageal Risk Factors Predict Chronic Allograft Failure?

GOALS: To assess the effect of unilateral versus bilateral lung transplantation (LTx) on esophageal motility and gastroesophageal reflux, and the association with the development of obstructive chronic lung allograft dysfunction (o-CLAD). BACKGROUND: We have shown that esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, incomplete bolus transit, and proximal reflux are all independent risk factors for the development of chronic allograft failure. However, it remains unclear whether these factors are influenced by the type of surgery and how this relates to allograft failure. STUDY: Patients post-LTx (n=48, 24 female; aged 20 to 73 y) completed high-resolution impedance manometry and 24-hour pH/impedance. RESULTS: Patients who had undergone unilateral LTx were more likely to exhibit esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (47% vs. 18%; P=0.046) and less likely to exhibit hypocontractility (0% vs. 21%; P=0.058) than those who had undergone bilateral LTx. Although the proportion of patients exhibiting gastroesophageal reflux was no different between groups (33% vs. 39%; P=0.505), those undergoing bilateral LTx were more likely to exhibit proximal reflux (8% vs. 37%; P=0.067). Univariate Cox proportion hazards regression analysis did not show a difference between unilateral versus bilateral LTx in the development of o-CLAD (hazard ratio=1.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-2.85; P=0.723). CONCLUSION: The type of LTx performed seems to lead to different risk factors for the development of o-CLAD. Physicians should be aware of these differences, as they may need to be taken into account when managing patient's post-LTx.

Functional Dyspepsia: Clinical Symptoms, Psychological Findings, and GCSI Scores.

BACKGROUND: The GCSI questionnaire measures symptoms of gastroparesis (GP). Symptoms of FD overlap with GP. The ability of the GCSI to discriminate FD from GP is unknown. AIMS: By prospectively evaluating functional dyspepsia (FD) patients, we aimed to evaluate the ability of the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) to: (1) distinguish FD from GP; (2) predict symptom severity, anxiety, and depression; (3) correlate symptoms with gastric emptying. METHODS: FD patients (Rome III criteria) were identified, and upper endoscopy and gastric emptying scan (GES) data recorded. A total of 254 patients were mailed a questionnaire evaluating demographics, FD symptoms, mental well-being; the GCSI was included. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-three patients responded; of them, 75% were women and mean age was 49 (15 SD) years. 44.7% were categorized as postprandial distress subtype (PDS), 34.1% were epigastric pain subtype (EPS), and 21.1% were mixed type. The mean GCSI score was 2.02 (1.1 SD), slightly lower than historical GP controls (2.26-2.56). Mixed EPS-PDS subtype had the lowest GCSI scores (1.79; 0.91 SD). Bloating was the highest GCSI subscore (2.70; 1.53 SD), followed by fullness (2.31; 1.39 SD) and nausea (1.08; 1.19 SD). The GCSI total score did not correlate with anxiety and depression scores or with 4-h gastric emptying. CONCLUSIONS: In this population of FD patients, GCSI scores were slightly lower than historical gastroparesis control patients, although within the reported range. These results suggest that the GCSI cannot accurately distinguish FD patients from GP patients. A more specific questionnaire is needed to aid in the diagnosis and management of these distinct gastrointestinal disorders.

Gastroparesis: Quality of Life and Health Care Utilization.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gastroparesis (GP) patients suffer from recurrent symptoms of nausea, vomiting, early satiety, and abdominal pain. The impact of GP on quality of life (QoL), health care utilization and daily activities is not well understood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Part 1: 398 adult patients (≥18 y) with documented GP (symptoms >6 mo) were surveyed to assess QoL and pain using the Short Form 36 and McGill pain questionnaires. Part 2: 491 adult GP patients were surveyed to evaluate employment status, work and daily activities, medication use, physician visits, diagnostic testing, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations related to their GP symptoms. Both protocols received Institutional Review Board approval. RESULTS: Part 1: 250 fully evaluable surveys were returned (63%). The mean age was 46.8 years (range, 18 to 84 y); 78% were women. Mean Short Form 36 scores for mental health (56.9) and social functioning (68.1) were analogous to scores for patients with serious chronic medical disorders and depression. Pain scores were lower in patients with idiopathic GP compared with diabetic GP. Part 2: 228 evaluable surveys were analyzed (58.3% response rate). The mean age was 49.6 (19 to 86 y); 77.2% were women. GP symptoms reduced daily activities in 67.5% and lowered annual income in 28.5%. In total, 11% were disabled due to GP symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: GP reduces patients' QoL and places a significant financial burden on the health care system. Treatment strategies for GP patients should be broad based and incorporate pain management, psychological evaluation and management, and strategies to improve overall well-being with a return to work and daily activities.

Impact of feedback on adenoma detection rates: Outcomes of quality improvement program.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Feedback has been shown to improve performance in colonoscopy including adenoma detection rate (ADR). The frequency at which feedback should be given is unknown. As part of a quality improvement program, we sought to measure the outcome of providing quarterly and monthly feedback on colonoscopy quality measures. METHODS: All screening colonoscopies performed at endoscopy unit at Mayo Clinic Arizona by gastroenterologists between October 2010 and December 2012 were reviewed. Quality indicators, including ADR, were extracted for each individual endoscopist, and feedback was provided. The study period was divided into four distinct groups: pre-intervention that served as baseline, quarterly feedback, monthly feedback, and post-intervention. Based on ADR, endoscopists were grouped into "low detectors" (≤ 25%), "average detectors" (26-35%), and "high detectors" (> 35%). RESULTS: A total of 3420 screening colonoscopies were performed during the study period (555 patients during pre-intervention, 1209 patients during quarterly feedback, 599 during monthly feedback, and 1057 during the post-intervention period) by 16 gastroenterologists. The overall ADR for the group improved from 30.5% to 37.7% (P = 0.003). Compared with the pre-interventional period, all quality indicators measured significantly improved during the monthly feedback and post-intervention periods but not in the quarterly feedback period. CONCLUSIONS: In our quality improvement program, monthly feedback significantly improved colonoscopy quality measures, including ADR, while quarterly feedback did not. The impact of the intervention was most prominent in the "low detectors" group. Results were durable up to 6 months following the intervention.

Comparison of Small Versus Large Volume Split Dose Preparation for Colonoscopy: A Study of Colonoscopy Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Split dose bowel preparations (SDP) have superior outcomes for colonoscopy as compared to evening before regimens. However, the association of the actual volume of the SDP to colonoscopy outcome measures has not been well studied. AIMS: Compare adenoma detection rate (ADR), sessile serrated polyp detection rate (SDR), mean bowel cleanse score, and predictors of inadequate exams between small volume SDP and large volume SDP. METHODS: We have conducted a retrospective study in patients undergoing colonoscopy with small volume SDP versus large volume SDP between July 2014 and December 2014. Basic demographics (age, gender and BMI) along with clinical co-morbidities were recorded. Quality of the bowel preparation, ADR and SDR was compared between these groups. Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to assess the determinants of inadequate exams in each group. RESULTS: 1573 patients with split dose preparation were included in this retrospective study. 58.4% (920/1573) patients took small volume SDP. There was no difference in ADR (37.9 vs. 38.8%, p = 0.2); however, SDR was higher for small volume SDP compared to large volume SDP (11.9 vs. 7.9% p = 0.005). There was no difference in the rate of inadequate exams between the two groups (p = 0.7). A history of diabetes and constipation was associated with inadequate exams only in the small volume SDP. CONCLUSIONS: SDR was higher in small volume SDP. There was no difference in rate of inadequate exams between the two groups. A history of diabetes and constipation was associated with inadequate exams only in patients with the small volume SDP.

Esophageal Motor Abnormalities in Patients With Scleroderma: Heterogeneity, Risk Factors, and Effects on Quality of Life.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Systemic scleroderma (SSc) is associated with esophageal aperistalsis and hypotensive esophagogastric junction pressure, although there could be a gradation in esophageal motor dysfunction. We characterized esophageal motor function by high-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) and assessed associations between SSc severity, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and HRM findings in patients. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of 200 patients with SSc and 102 patients without SSc (controls) who underwent HRM at Mayo Clinic Arizona from May 2006 through January 2015. We used data on integrated relaxation pressure, distal contractile integral, and distal latency to classify esophageal motility disorders according to the Chicago Classification v 3.0. A subset of subjects (n = 122) completed SSc-specific gastrointestinal symptom and HRQOL questionnaires. HRM findings, symptoms, and HRQOL data were compared among diffuse SSc, limited SSc, and control subjects. Categorical variables were compared by using the χ2 or Fisher exact test; continuous variables were compared by using Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis test. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between severity of esophageal dysmotility and baseline clinical factors. RESULTS: Among patients with SSc, 83 had diffuse SSc (42%), and 117 had limited SSc (58%). Absent contractility was more frequent in patients with SSc than in controls (56% vs 13%; P < .001). HRM findings varied among the patients; absent contractility (56%) was the most frequent diagnosis, followed by normal motility (26%) and ineffective esophageal motility (10%). Classic scleroderma esophagus (esophagogastric junction pressure with absent contractility) was only observed in 33% of patients (34% with diffuse SSc vs 32% limited SSc) (P = .880). Severe esophageal dysmotility was associated with disease duration, interstitial lung disease, and higher gastrointestinal symptom scores (P < .001). HRQOL was decreased in patients with SSc and severe esophageal dysmotility. CONCLUSIONS: Although severe dysmotility is more common in patients with SSc than in controls, we observed the so-called scleroderma esophagus in only one-third of patients with SSc. Esophageal motor function appears to be heterogeneous in SSc. Esophageal dysmotility reduces HRQOL in patients with SSc.