[Nausea; article for education and training purposes]. / Misselijkheid.

Nausea is a common presenting symptom in medical care with a broad differential diagnosis. In this teaching article we provide practical information on many aspects of nausea including pathophysiology and differential diagnosis, history and physical examination, and diagnostic tests and treatment. This was done by means of answering several questions from the daily practice of general practitioners, specialists in internal medicine and surgeons. In a patient with nausea a provisional diagnosis can be made based on medical history, careful history-taking and age. Diagnostic testing is only performed on clinical suspicion and depends on the provisional diagnosis and presence of alarm symptoms. Tailored medical treatment of nausea is based on the provisional diagnosis and on the mechanism of action of the intended antiemetic agent.

Systematic review: Disease-specific instruments to assess gastrointestinal symptoms in functional dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder with incompletely understood pathophysiology and heterogeneous symptom presentation. Assessment of treatment efficacy in FD is a methodological challenge as response to treatment must be assessed primarily by measuring subjective symptoms. Therefore, the use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) is recommended by regulatory authorities to assess gastrointestinal symptoms in clinical trials for FD. In the last decades, a multitude of outcome measures has been developed. However, currently no PROM has been approved by the regulatory authorities, and no consensus has been reached with regard to the most relevant outcome measure in FD. PURPOSE: This systematic review discusses the available disease-specific outcome measures for assessment of FD symptoms with psychometric validation properties, strengths, and limitations. Moreover, recommendations for use of current available outcome measures are provided, and potential areas of future research are discussed.

Effects and efficacy of laparoscopic fundoplication in children with GERD: a prospective, multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) in children primarily aims to decrease reflux events and reduce reflux symptoms in children with therapy-resistant gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aim was to objectively assess the effect and efficacy of LARS in pediatric GERD patients and to identify parameters associated with failure of LARS. METHODS: Twenty-five children with GERD [12 males, median age 6 (2-18) years] were included prospectively. Reflux-specific questionnaires, stationary manometry, 24-h multichannel intraluminal impedance pH monitoring (MII-pH monitoring) and a 13C-labeled Na-octanoate breath test were used for clinical assessment before and 3 months after LARS. RESULTS: After LARS, three of 25 patients had persisting/recurrent reflux symptoms (one also had persistent pathological acid exposure on MII-pH monitoring). New-onset dysphagia was present in three patients after LARS. Total acid exposure time (AET) (8.5-0.8 %; p < 0.0001) and total number of reflux episodes (p < 0.001) significantly decreased and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) resting pressure significantly increased (10-24 mmHg, p < 0.0001) after LARS. LES relaxation, peristaltic contractions and gastric emptying time did not change. The total number of reflux episodes on MII-pH monitoring before LARS was a significant predictor for the effect of the procedure on reflux reduction (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In children with therapy-resistant GERD, LARS significantly reduces reflux symptoms, total acid exposure time (AET) and number of acidic as well as weakly acidic reflux episodes. LES resting pressure increases after LARS, but esophageal function and gastric emptying are not affected. LARS showed better reflux reduction in children with a higher number of reflux episodes on preoperative MII-pH monitoring.

Impact of laparoscopic antireflux surgery on belching in pediatric GERD patients.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) is a well-established treatment option for children with proton pomp inhibitor (PPI)-resistant gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Besides preventing reflux of gastric fluid and solid content, LARS may also impair the ability of the stomach to vent intragastric air (i.e. gastric belching) and induce gas-related complications, such as bloating and/or hyperflatulence. Furthermore, it was previously hypothesized that LARS induces a behavioral type of belching, not originating from the stomach, called supragastric belching. The aim of this study was to objectively evaluate the impact of LARS on gastric (GB) and supragastric belching (SGB) in children with GERD. METHODS: We performed a prospective, Dutch multicenter cohort study including 25 patients (12 males, median age 6 (range 2-18) years) with PPI-resistant GERD who were scheduled for LARS. Twenty-four-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance pH monitoring (MII-pH monitoring) was performed before and 3 months after fundoplication. Impedance pH tracings were analyzed for reflux episodes and GBs and SGBs. KEY RESULTS: LARS reduced acid exposure time from 8.5% (6.0-16.2%) to 0.8% (0.2-2.8%), p < 0.001. The number of GBs also significantly decreased after LARS (59 [43-77] VS 5 [2-12], p < 0.001). The number of air swallows remained unchanged after LARS. SGBs were infrequent before LARS with no change in the number of SGB observed after the procedure. Postoperative belching symptoms were associated with GBs, not with SGBs. CONCLUSION & INFERENCES: LARS significantly reduces the number of GBs in children with GERD, whereas the number of air swallows remains unchanged. Postoperative symptomatic belching is associated with GBs, but not with SGBs. These findings suggest that LARS does not induce the occurrence of SGBs in children, but longer follow-up is required.

Effect of Vagus Nerve Integrity on Short and Long-Term Efficacy of Antireflux Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Vagus nerve injury is a feared complication of antireflux surgery (ARS) that may negatively affect reflux control. The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate short-term and long-term impact of vagus nerve injury, evaluated by pancreatic polypeptide response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia (PP-IH), on the outcome of ARS. METHODS: In the period from 1990 until 2000, 125 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) underwent ARS at a single center. Before and 6 months after surgery, vagus nerve integrity testing (PP-IH), 24-h pH-monitoring, gastric emptying, and reflux-associated symptoms were evaluated. In 2014, 14-25 years after surgery, 110 patients were contacted again for evaluation of long-term symptomatic outcome using two validated questionnaires (Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and GERD-Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL)). RESULTS: Short-term follow-up: vagus nerve injury (PP peak ≤47 pmol/l) was observed in 23 patients (18%) 6 months after fundoplication. In both groups, a comparable decrease in reflux parameters and symptoms was observed at 6-month follow-up. Postoperative gastric emptying was significantly delayed in the vagus nerve injury group compared with the vagus nerve intact group. Long-term follow-up: patients with vagus nerve injury showed significantly less effective reflux control and a higher re-operation rate. CONCLUSIONS: Vagus nerve injury occurs in up to 20% of patients after ARS. Reflux control 6 months after surgery was not affected by vagus nerve injury. However, long-term follow-up showed a negative effect on reflux symptom control and re-operation rate in patients with vagus nerve injury.

Alterations in serotonin metabolism in the irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Alterations in serotonin (5-HT) metabolism have been postulated to play a role in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, previous reports regarding 5-HT metabolism in IBS are contradicting. AIM: To compare platelet poor plasma (PPP) 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) levels and their ratio in a large cohort of IBS patients and healthy controls (HC), including IBS-subgroup analysis. METHODS: Irritable bowel syndrome patients and HC were evaluated for fasting PPP 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels. Furthermore, GI-symptom diary, GSRS, quality of life, anxiety and depression scores were assessed in the 2 weeks before blood sampling. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty four IBS patients and 137 HC were included. No differences were detected in plasma 5-HT between groups. The 5-HIAA concentrations and 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio were significantly lower in IBS compared to HC: 24.6 ± 21.9 vs. 39.0 ± 29.5 µg/L (P < 0.001) and 8.4 ± 12.2 vs. 13.5 ± 16.6 (P < 0.01), respectively. Subtype analysis for 5-HIAA showed all IBS subtypes to be significantly different from HC. The 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio was significantly lower in the IBS-M subtype vs. HC. Linear regression analysis points to an influence of gender but not of GI-symptoms, psychological scores or medication use. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that fasting 5-HT plasma levels are not significantly different in IBS patients compared to controls. However, decreased 5-HIAA levels and 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio in IBS patients may reflect altered serotonin metabolism in IBS. Gender affects 5-HIAA levels in IBS patients, but no effects of drugs, such as SSRIs, or higher GI-symptom or psychological scores were found.

Esophagogastric junction distensibility in the management of achalasia patients: relation to treatment outcome.

BACKGROUND: Achalasia is characterized by a functional esophagogastric junction (EGJ) obstruction. The functional luminal imaging probe (EndoFLIP) is a method to assess EGJ distensibility. In a homogeneous group of newly diagnosed achalasia patients treated with pneumatic dilation (PD), we aimed (i) to determine whether the assessment of EGJ distensibility has added value in the management of achalasia patients and (ii) to evaluate whether EGJ distensibility differs between achalasia subtypes. METHODS: Twenty-six newly diagnosed achalasia patients were treated by graded PD (30 and 35 mm) separated by 1 week. EGJ distensibility was measured with the EndoFLIP technique before and after 30 mm PD. Good clinical outcome was defined as an Eckardt score <4 at 1-year follow-up. Fifteen healthy controls underwent an EndoFLIP measurement as control group. KEY RESULTS: Newly diagnosed achalasia patients had reduced EGJ distensibility compared to healthy controls (0.9 [0.7-1.5] vs 3.4 [2.7-4.2] mm(2) /mmHg, p < 0.01), and EGJ distensibility was lower in type II compared to type I patients (0.8 [0.7-1.1] vs 1.5 [0.9-1.9] mm(2) /mmHg, p = 0.02). EGJ distensibility was increased after PD from 0.9 (0.7-1.5) to 4.2 (3.0-5.7) mm(2) /mmHg (p < 0.001). No difference was found in EGJ distensibility directly after PD between patients with good and poor clinical outcome at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Assessment of EGJ distensibility with the EndoFLIP technique is able to demonstrate the functional EGJ obstruction in newly diagnosed achalasia patients and EGJ distensibility differs between achalasia subtypes. Although PD improves EGJ distensibility, assessment of EGJ distensibility with a limited number of distension steps provides no additional information that is useful for clinical evaluation and management of achalasia patients.

Electrical stimulation therapy of the lower oesophageal sphincter for refractory gastro-oesophageal reflux disease - interim results of an international multicentre trial.

BACKGROUND: A previous single-centre study showed that lower oesophageal sphincter electrical stimulation therapy (LES-EST) in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients improves reflux symptoms and decreases oesophageal acid exposure. AIM: To evaluate safety and efficacy of LES-EST in GERD patients with incomplete response to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in a prospective, international, multicentre, open-label study. METHODS: GERD patients, partially responsive to PPIs, received LES-EST. GERD health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL), daily symptom diaries, quality of life scores, oesophageal acid exposure, and LES resting and residual pressure were measured before and after initiation of LES-EST. Stimulation sessions were optimised based on residual symptoms and oesophageal acid exposure. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were enrolled and 6-month data from 41 patients are available. Hiatal repair was performed in 16 patients. One device-related, one procedure-related and one unrelated severe adverse event were reported. GERD-HRQL improved from 31.0 (IQR 26.2-36.8) off-PPI and 16.5 (IQR 9.0-22.8) on-PPI to 4 (IQR 1-8) at 3-month and 5 (IQR 3-9) at 6-month follow-up (P < 0.0001 vs. on- and off-PPI). Oesophageal acid exposure (pH < 4.0) improved from 10.0% (IQR 7.5-12.9) to 3.8% (IQR 1.9-12.3) at 3 months (P = 0.0027) and 4.4% (IQR 2.2-7.2) at 6 months (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These interim results show an acceptable safety record of LES-EST to date, combined with good short-term efficacy in GERD patients who are partially responsive to PPI therapy. A remarkable reduction in regurgitation symptoms, without the risk of intervention-requiring dysphagia may prove to be an advantage compared with other anti-reflux procedures. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01574339.

The effect of endoscopic fundoplication and proton pump inhibitors on baseline impedance and heartburn severity in GERD patients.

BACKGROUND: Antireflux therapy may lead to recovery of impaired mucosal integrity in gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients as reflected by an increase in baseline impedance. The study objective was to evaluate the effect of endoscopic fundoplication and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) PPI therapy on baseline impedance and heartburn severity in GERD patients. METHODS: Forty-seven GERD patients randomized to endoscopic fundoplication (n = 32) or PPI therapy (n = 15), and 29 healthy controls were included. Before randomization and 6 months after treatment, baseline impedance was obtained during 24-h pH-impedance monitoring. Heartburn severity was evaluated using the GERD-HRQL questionnaire. KEY RESULTS: Before treatment, baseline impedance in GERD patients was lower than in healthy controls (p < 0.001). Antireflux therapy increased baseline impedance (from 1498 [IQR 951-2472] to 2393 [IQR 1353-3027] Ω, p = 0.001), however it only led to a partial recovery when compared to healthy controls (2393 [IQR 1353-3027] vs 2983 [2335-3810] Ω, p < 0.01). The effect of both treatment options was not significantly different (p = 0.13) despite the increased number of non-acid reflux events in the PPI group. No correlation was found between baseline impedance and GERD symptoms before or after treatment. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Reduction in acid reflux by endoscopic fundoplication or PPI therapy leads to an increase in baseline impedance in GERD patients, likely to reflect recovery of mucosal integrity. The impact of non-acid reflux events on esophageal mucosal integrity may be limited as no difference in the increase in baseline impedance was observed after both treatment options. The lack of association between impedance baseline and heartburn severity indicates that other factors may contribute to heartburn perception in GERD.

Small intestinal permeability is increased in diarrhoea predominant IBS, while alterations in gastroduodenal permeability in all IBS subtypes are largely attributable to confounders.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal permeability has been studied in small groups of IBS patients with contrasting findings. AIMS: To assess intestinal permeability at different sites of the GI tract in different subtypes of well-characterised IBS patients and healthy controls (HC), and to assess potential confounding factors. METHODS: IBS patients and HC underwent a multi-sugar test to assess site-specific intestinal permeability. Sucrose excretion and lactulose/rhamnose ratio in 0-5 h urine indicated gastroduodenal and small intestinal permeability, respectively. Sucralose/erythritol ratio in 0-24 h and 5-24 h urine indicated whole gut and colonic permeability, respectively. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between IBS groups and intestinal permeability and to adjust for age, sex, BMI, anxiety or depression, smoking, alcohol intake and use of medication. RESULTS: Ninety-one IBS patients, i.e. 37% IBS-D, 23% IBS-C, 33% IBS-M and 7% IBS-U and 94 HC were enrolled. Urinary sucrose excretion was significantly increased in the total IBS group [µmol, median (Q1;Q3): 5.26 (1.82;11.03) vs. 2.44 (0.91;5.85), P < 0.05], as well as in IBS-C and IBS-D vs. HC. However, differences attenuated when adjusting for confounders. The lactulose/rhamnose ratio was increased in IBS-D vs. HC [0.023 (0.013;0.038) vs. 0.014 (0.008;0.025), P < 0.05], which remained significant after adjustment for confounders. No difference was found in 0-24 and 5-24 h sucralose/erythritol ratio between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Small intestinal permeability is increased in patients with IBS-D compared to healthy controls, irrespective of confounding factors. Adjustment for confounders is necessary when studying intestinal permeability, especially in a heterogeneous disorder such as IBS.

Randomized clinical trial on the effect of a multispecies probiotic on visceroperception in hypersensitive IBS patients.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by heterogeneous pathophysiology and low response to treatment. Up to 60% of IBS patients suffers from visceral hypersensitivity, which is associated with symptom severity and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Recently, positive effects of probiotics in IBS have been reported, but overall the response was modest. We performed a study in IBS patients, characterized by visceral hypersensitivity measured with the rectal barostat, aiming to assess the effect of 6 weeks of multispecies probiotic mix on visceral pain perception. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in forty Rome III IBS patients with visceral hypersensitivity. Prior to intake, patients kept a 2-week symptom diary and underwent a rectal barostat measurement. When hypersensitivity was confirmed, participation was allowed and patients received a multispecies probiotic with in vitro proven potential beneficial effects on mechanisms contributing to visceral hypersensitivity (six different probiotic strains; 10(9)  cfu/g), or a placebo product of one sachet (5 g) per day for 6 weeks. At the end of the intervention period, visceroperception and symptoms were reassessed. KEY RESULTS: Thirty-five patients completed the trial. The percentage of patients with visceral hypersensitivity decreased significantly in the probiotic and placebo group (76.5% and 71.4%, respectively; N.S. between groups). Improvement in pain scores and mean symptom score did not differ between the probiotic and placebo group. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: In this placebo-controlled trial in IBS patients with visceral hypersensitivity, no significant effect of a multispecies probiotic on viscerperception was observed. The study has been registered in the US National Library of Medicine (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00702026).

Rectal hypersensitivity as hallmark for irritable bowel syndrome: defining the optimal cutoff.

BACKGROUND: Visceral hypersensitivity is a frequently observed hallmark of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Studies have reported differently about the presence of visceral hypersensitivity in IBS resulting from lack of standardization of the barostat procedure and due to different criteria used to assess hypersensitivity. We aimed to calculate the optimal cutoff to detect visceral hypersensitivity in IBS. METHODS: A total of 126 IBS patients and 30 healthy controls (HC) were included for assessment of visceroperception by barostat. Pain perception was assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS). ROC-curves were used to calculate optimal discriminative cutoff (pressure and VAS-score) between IBS patients and HC to define hypersensitivity. Furthermore, pain perception to distension sequences below the pressure threshold for hypersensitivity was defined as allodynia. KEY RESULTS: Irritable bowel syndrome patients showed increased visceroperception compared to HC. Thresholds for first sensation and first pain were lower in IBS patients VS HC (P < 0.01). ROC-curves showed optimal discrimination between IBS patients and HC at 26 mmHg with a VAS cutoff ≥20 mm. Using this criterion, hypersensitivity percentages were 63.5% and 6.6% in IBS patients and HC, respectively. No significant differences were observed between IBS subtypes. Allodynia was found in a small number of patients (11%). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Optimal cutoff for visceral hypersensitivity was found at pressure 26 mmHg with a VAS ≥20 mm, resulting in 63.5% of IBS patients being hypersensitive and 11% being allodynic. Standardization of barostat procedures and defining optimal cutoff values for hypersensitivity is warranted when employing rectal barostat measurements for research or clinical purposes.

Revisiting concepts of visceral nociception in irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder characterized by abdominal pain related to defecation with a change in bowel habit. Patients with IBS often exhibit increased visceral sensitivity, which can be tested clinically by rectal balloon distension procedures. This paper aims to give an overview of mechanisms involved in visceral hypersensitivity in IBS by reviewing recent literature. DATABASES AND DATA TREATMENT: A literature search in the electronic databases Pubmed and MEDLINE was executed using the search terms 'visceral pain' or 'visceral nociception' or 'visceral hypersensitivity' and 'irritable bowel syndrome.' Both original articles and review articles were considered for data extraction. RESULTS: Recent advances in molecular neurophysiology provide knowledge to better understand the underlying mechanism in pain generation in the human gut, in particular, in IBS patients. Sensitization of peripheral nociceptive afferents, more specifically high-threshold afferents, has been proposed as one of the principle mechanism in the development of visceral hypersensitivity. On the other hand, central mechanisms also play an important role. In terms of clinical testing of visceral perception, considerable discrepancies remain, however, across different centres. CONCLUSION: Alterations in the modulatory balance of pro- and antinociceptive central processing of noxious peripheral input may serve as in integrative hypothesis for explaining visceral hypersensitivity in IBS. Nevertheless, it remains troublesome to estimate the contribution of central and peripheral factors in visceral hypersensitivity, posing a challenge in determining effective therapeutic entities.

Does meal ingestion enhance sensitivity of visceroperception assessment in irritable bowel syndrome?

BACKGROUND: Visceral hypersensitivity is frequently observed in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Previous studies have shown that administration of a meal can aggravate symptoms or increase visceroperception in IBS patients. We investigated whether meal ingestion could increase the sensitivity of the barostat procedure for the detection of visceral hypersensitivity in IBS patients. METHODS: Seventy-one IBS patients and 30 healthy controls (HC) were included in the study. All subjects underwent a barostat procedure under fasted and postprandial conditions to measure visceroperception. Urge, discomfort, and pain were scored on a visual analog scale. Furthermore, percentages of hypersensitive IBS patients and HC were calculated and dynamic rectal compliance was assessed. KEY RESULTS: In IBS patients, urge, discomfort, and pain scores were significantly increased postprandially vs the fasted state. The HC showed increased scores for urge and pain only. Rectal dynamic compliance remained unaltered in both groups. Postprandial hypersensitivity percentages did not significantly differ vs the fasted state in IBS patients, nor in HC. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Postprandial barostat measurement enhances visceroperception in IBS but has no added value to detect visceral hypersensitivity in individual IBS patients.

Review article: the clinical relevance of transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: Transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations (TLOSR) are considered the physiological mechanism that enables venting of gas from the stomach and appear as sphincter relaxations that are not induced by swallowing. It has become increasingly clear that most reflux episodes occur during TLOSRs and therefore play a key role in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). AIM: To describe the current knowledge about TLOSRs and its clinical implications. METHODS: Search of the literature published in English using the PubMed database and relevant abstracts presented at international conventions. RESULTS: Several factors influence the rate of TLOSRs including anti-reflux surgery, meal, body position, nutrition, lifestyle and a wide array of neurotransmitters. Ongoing insights in the neurotransmitters responsible for the modulation of TLOSRs, as well as the neural pathways involved in TLOSR induction, have lead to novel therapeutic targets. These therapeutic targets can serve as an add-on therapy in patients with an unsatisfactory response to proton pump inhibitor by inhibiting TLOSRs and its associated reflux events. However, the TLOSR-inhibiting drugs that are currently available still have significant side effects. CONCLUSION: It is likely that in the future, selected GERD patients may benefit from transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation inhibition when compounds are found without significant side effects.

Predictors for outcome of failure of balloon dilatation in patients with achalasia.

BACKGROUND: Pneumatic balloon dilatation (PD) is a regular treatment modality for achalasia. The reported success rates of PD vary. Recurrent symptoms often require repeated PD or surgery. OBJECTIVE: To identify predicting factors for symptom recurrence requiring repeated treatment. METHODS: Between 1974 and 2006, 336 patients were treated with PD and included in this longitudinal cohort study. The median follow-up was 129 months (range 1-378). Recurrence of achalasia was defined as symptom recurrence in combination with increased lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure on manometry, requiring repeated treatment. Patient characteristics, results of timed barium oesophagram and manometry as well as baseline PD characteristics were evaluated as predictors of disease recurrence with Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: 111 patients had symptom recurrence requiring repeated treatment. Symptoms recurred after a mean follow-up of 51 months (range 1-348). High recurrence percentages were found in patients younger than 21 years in whom the 5 and 10-year risks of recurrence were 64% and 72%, respectively. These risks were respectively 28% and 36% in patients with classic achalasia, respectively 48% and 60% in patients without complete obliteration of the balloon's waist during PD and respectively 25% and 33% in patients with a LOS pressure greater than 10 mm Hg at 3 months post-dilatation. These four predictors remained statistically significant in a multivariable Cox analysis. CONCLUSION: Although PD is an effective primary treatment in patients with primary achalasia, patients are at risk of recurrent disease, with this risk increasing during long-term follow-up. Young age at presentation, classic achalasia, high LOS pressure 3 months after PD and incomplete obliteration of the balloon's waist during PD are the most important predicting factors for the need for repeated treatment during follow-up. Patients who meet one or more of these characteristics may be considered earlier for alternative treatment, such as surgery.

Review article: intra-oesophageal impedance monitoring for the assessment of bolus transit and gastro-oesophageal reflux.

BACKGROUND: Intra-oesophageal impedance monitoring can be used to assess the clearance of a swallowed bolus (oesophageal transit) and to detect gastro-oesophageal reflux independent of its acidity. AIM: To discuss the clinical application of the impedance technique for the assessment of bolus transit and gastro-oesophageal reflux. METHODS: Review of the literature on intra-oesophageal impedance monitoring of bolus transit and gastro-oesophageal reflux. RESULTS: Using impedance criteria, normal oesophageal bolus clearance can be defined as complete clearance of at least 80% of liquid boluses and at least 70% of viscous boluses. Impedance recording identifies oesophageal function abnormalities in non-obstructive dysphagia patients and in patients with postfundoplication dysphagia. The impedance technique seems to be less suitable for the most severe end of the dysphagia spectrum like achalasia. Intra-oesophageal impedance monitoring detects reflux events independent of the pH of the refluxate, which allows identification of non-acid reflux episodes. In addition, use of impedance monitoring enables assessment of the composition (liquid, gas, mixed) and proximal extent of the refluxate. Combined impedance-pH monitoring is more accurate than pH alone for the detection of both acid and weakly acidic reflux. Furthermore, addition of impedance monitoring to pH increases the yield of symptom association analysis both in patients off and on proton pump inhibitor therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-oesophageal impedance monitoring is a feasible technique for the assessment of bolus transit and gastro-oesophageal reflux. Combined impedance-manometry provides clinically important information about oesophageal function abnormalities and combined impedance-pH monitoring identifies the relationship between symptoms and all types of reflux events regarding acidity and composition.

Role of intra-oesophageal impedance monitoring in the evaluation of endoscopic gastroplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: In the evaluation of several endoscopic antireflux procedures, a discrepancy in the degree of improvement between symptoms and objective reflux parameters as measured by pH-metry has been reported. AIM: To assess the additional value of impedance monitoring in the evaluation of endoscopic gastroplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. METHODS: Eighteen patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease were treated with three endoscopic gastroplications, and underwent 24 h pH-impedance monitoring before and 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: Total reflux exposure time as assessed by pH-metry and impedance monitoring was significantly decreased after treatment (P = 0.047 and <0.001, respectively). When assessed with impedance monitoring, the mean number of reflux episodes was significantly decreased after the procedure (82 vs. 56, pre vs. post, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the mean numbers of liquid and acid reflux episodes in patients with symptomatic improvement were significantly reduced after treatment (P = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). After treatment, mean volume clearance time (s) and mean number of proximal reflux episodes were significantly decreased (P < 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Impedance monitoring can identify the specific effect of endoscopic gastroplication on the different types of reflux episodes with regard to gas-liquid composition and pH, as well as on volume clearance and the proximal extent of the refluxate.