Symptom Severity Related With Contraction Peaks in Patients With Jackhammer Esophagus

( Yinglian Xiao ),( Dustin A Carlson ),( John E Pandolfino ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회 2021 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.27 No.4

Background/Aims Jackhammer esophagus is an uncommon heterogeneous motility disorder associated with a distal contractile integral > 8000 mmHg·sec·cm. The spectrum of abnormality ranges from a relatively normal looking contraction to chaotic repetitive contractions akin to a jackhammer. Although previous studies have shown an uncertain correlation between peristaltic vigor and symptoms, we hypothesize that symptoms may be more severe with repetitive contractions as opposed to an elevated contractile measure. Thus, this study aims to investigate whether symptom severity is related to the contraction pattern in the patients with hypercontractile esophagus. Methods Patients with hypercontractile esophagus were retrospectively identified, their demographic and high-resolution manometry characteristics were collected. Contraction pattern on high-resolution manometry was categorized into single-peak and multiple-peak. Comparison was performed between patients with single-peak and multiple-peak. Results Altogether 35 patients (age range, 45-70 years; female:male, 24:11) were included. Seven patients presented with single-peak hypercontractile swallows, while 28 patients presented with multiple-peak hypercontractile swallows. The patients with multiple-peak showed higher Brief Esophageal Dysphagia Questionnaire scores compared with patients with single-peak. The jackhammer swallows with multiple-peak were associated with higher distal contractile integral values, longer distal latency intervals, and a lower integrated relaxation pressure. Conclusions Repetitive contractions akin to a jackhammer were common amongst patients with hypercontractile esophagus. Patients with the jackhammer pattern also presented with more severe symptoms. Further distinction of hypercontractile esophagus into a jackhammer dominant subtype may be warranted. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2021;27:540-544)

Acid Exposure Time > 6% Might Not Improve the Therapeutic Outcome in Chinese Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Patients

( Yuqing Lin ),( Yuwen Li ),( Mengya Liang ),( Niandi Tan ),( Mengyu Zhang ),( Songfeng Chen ),( Yinglian Xiao ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회(구 대한소화관운동학회) 2021 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.27 No.1

Background/Aims There is less acid burden in Chinese gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients. However, the Lyon consensus proposed a higher threshold of acid exposure time (AET > 6%) for GERD. The aims are to apply the updated criteria in Chinese GERD patients and clarify its influence on clinical outcome. Methods Patients who were referred for both esophageal high-resolution manometry and 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring due to reflux symptoms were retrospectively screened. Those patients with AET > 4% was included and grouped into either AET 4-6% or AET > 6%. Their manometric profile, reflux profile, and response to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were evaluated. Adjunctive evidence proposed in the Lyon consensus was added in patients with AET 4-6% for therapeutic gain. Another group of patients (n = 144) with AET < 4% were included as non-GERD patients. Results In total, 151 patients (102 males) were included with 113 patients AET > 6% (74.9%). GERD patients with AET > 4% were with more male, older patients, and higher body mass index compared with non-GERD patients. Meanwhile, GERD patients were less competent in esophagogastric junction pressure. However, the manometric and reflux profile were similar between patients with AET > 6% and 4-6%. The response rate of PPI therapy was 64.6% and 63.2%, respectively, in groups of AET > 6% and 4-6% (P > 0.05). When adjunctive evidence was added in patients with AET 4-6%, no therapeutic gain was obtained. Conclusions The efficacy of PPI therapy was similar in patients with AET > 6% and 4-6%. The increase of the AET threshold did not influence the clinical outcome of Chinese GERD patients. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2021;27:55-62)

Esophagogastric Junction Contractility Integral Reflect the Anti-reflux Barrier Dysfunction in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

( Chenxi Xie ),( Jinhui Wang ),( Yuwen Li ),( Niandi Tan ),( Yi Cui ),( Minhu Chen ),( Yinglian Xiao ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회(구 대한소화관운동학회) 2017 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.23 No.1

Background/Aims Anti-reflux barrier dysfunction is one of the primary mechanisms in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) pathogenesis. The esophagogastric junction contractile integral (EGJ-CI) is a new metric adopted to evaluate the EGJ contractility, which implies the antireflux barrier function. The aim of the current study was to validate this new metric in patients with GERD and its correlation with the esophageal acid exposure, as well as the efficacy of proton pump inhibitor treatment. Methods Ninety-eight patients with GERD and 21 healthy controls were included in the study. Upper endoscopy, high-resolution manometry (HRM) and 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring were performed in all patients. Three respiration cycles were chosen at the initial HRM resting frame and the value computed with distal contractile integral tool was then divided by the duration of the cycles to yield EGJ-CI. All the patients were treated with esomeprazole 20 mg twice-daily for 8 weeks. Results EGJ-CI was lower in the patients with GERD than that of the controls (P < 0.05). For patients with GERD, EGJ-CI was lower in those with hiatal hernia (P < 0.05). The new metric correlated with esophageal acid exposure in the supine position (P < 0.05), and it also negatively correlated to the total reflux episodes (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference on EGJ-CI between patients with and without response to the esomeprazole treatment (P = 0.627). Conclusions EGJ-CI reflected the dysfunction of the anti-reflux barrier in patients with GERD, but it had little impact on the esomeprazole response. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2017;23:27-33)

Esophageal Baseline Impedance Reflects Mucosal Integrity and Predicts Symptomatic Outcome With Proton Pump Inhibitor Treatment

( Chenxi Xie ),( Daniel Sifrim ),( Yuwen Li ),( Minhu Chen ),( Yinglian Xiao ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회(구 대한소화관운동학회) 2018 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.24 No.1

Background/Aims Esophageal baseline impedance, which is decreased in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients, is related to the severity of acid reflux and the integrity of the esophageal mucosa. The study aims to compare the baseline impedance and the dilated intercellular spaces (DIS) within patients with typical reflux symptoms and to evaluate the correlation of baseline impedance with DIS, esophageal acid exposure, as well as the efficacy of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment. Methods Ninety-two patients and 10 healthy controls were included in the study. Erosive esophagitis (EE) was defined by esophageal mucosal erosion under upper endoscopy. Patients without mucosa erosion were divided into groups with pathologic acid reflux (non-erosive reflux disease [NERD]) or with hypersensitive esophagus. The biopsies of esophageal mucosa were taken 2-4 cm above the gastroesophageal junction Z-line during upper endoscopy for DIS measurement. All the patients received esomeprazole 20 mg twice-daily treatment for 8 weeks. The efficacy of esomeprazole was evaluated among all patients. Results The intercellular spaces were dilated in both EE and NERD patients (P < 0.05). The value 0.73 mm could be used as the cut-off DIS value to distinguish patients from controls (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.849, P < 0.01). One thousand seven hundred sixty-four ohms could be used as the cut-off impedance values to distinguish patients from controls (AUC = 0.794, P < 0.01). The baseline impedance was decreased in both EE patients and NERD patients, and negatively correlated to the acid exposure time (r = -0.527, P < 0.05). There was a weak correlation between DIS and baseline impedance (r = -0.230, P < 0.05). “Baseline impedance > 1764 Ω” was an independent predictor for PPI failure (OR, 11.9; 95% CI, 2.4-58.9; P < 0.01). Conclusions The DIS and decreased baseline impedance was observed in patients with mucosa erosion or pathological acid reflux. The baseline impedance reflected the mucosal integrity, it was more sensitive to esophageal acid exposure. Patients with high impedance might not benefit from the PPI treatment. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2018;24:43-50)

The Disease Spectrum and Natural History of Patients With Abdominal Bloating or Distension: A Longitudinal Study

Fangfei Chen,Niandi Tan,Songfeng Chen,Qianjun Zhuang,Mengyu Zhang,Yinglian Xiao 대한소화기 기능성질환∙운동학회 2024 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.30 No.1

ackground/AimsAbdominal bloating or distension (AB/D) is a common complaint in the outpatient of gastroenterology department. Since the potential contributors are numerous and complex, a longitudinal study on the disease spectrum and natural history of patients was performed to better understand the key factors of AB/D. MethodsConsecutive patients with the chief complaint of AB/D referred to the outpatient clinic were screened. Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) were diagnosed according to Rome IV criteria. A 3-year follow-up was performed to seek for the changes in symptoms as well as disease spectrum. ResultsA total of 261 participants were enrolled and 139 completed the follow-up. Most patients suffered from moderate to severe symptoms more than 1 day per week. Common causes of AB/D were FGIDs (51.7%) and organic diseases (17.2%). The latter group was older with lower body mass index (BMI). Functional dyspepsia was the most common type of FGIDs in AB/D. The symptoms of 18.0% of participants failed to improve at the end of the 3-year follow-up, and those diagnosed with FGIDs were most likely to continue to suffer. Abdominal pain was a positive predictive factor for good prognosis in the FGIDs group. Besides, only 22.7% of participants had a consistent diagnosis of FGIDs during follow-up. ConclusionsFGIDs are the most common diagnosis in patients with AB/D. Symptoms were especially hard to be improved. Classification diagnoses of FGIDs in AB/D patients fluctuated significantly over time.

Achalasia: The Current Clinical Dilemma and Possible Pathogenesis

Xingyu Jia,Songfeng Chen,Qianjun Zhuang,Niandi Tan,Mengyu Zhang,Yi Cui,Jinhui Wang,Xiangbin Xing,Yinglian Xiao 대한소화기 기능성질환∙운동학회 2023 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.29 No.2

Achalasia is a primary esophageal motility disorder manifested by dysphagia and chest pain that impair patients’ quality of life, and it also leads to chronic esophageal inflammation by food retention and increases the risk of esophageal cancer. Although achalasia has long been reported, the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of achalasia are not fully understood. The current clinical dilemma of achalasia is mainly due to its unclear pathogenesis. In this paper, epidemiology, diagnosis treatment, as well as possible pathogenesis of achalasia will be reviewed and summarized. The proposed hypothesis on the pathogenesis of achalasia is that genetically susceptible populations potentially have a higher risk of infection with viruses, triggering autoimmune and inflammation responses to inhibitory neurons in lower esophageal sphincter.

The Practice of Gastrointestinal Motility Laboratory During COVID-19 Pandemic: Position Statements of the Asian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association (ANMA-GML-COVID-19 Position Statements)

( Siah Kewin T H ),( Rahman M Masudur ),( Ong Andrew M L ),( Soh Alex Y S ),( Lee Yeong Yeh ),( Xiao Yinglian ),( Sachdeva Sanjeev ),( Jung Kee Wook ),( Wang Yen-Po ),( Oshima Tadayuki ),( Patcharatra 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회 2020 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.26 No.3

During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, practices of gastrointestinal procedures within the digestive tract require special precautions due to the risk of contraction of severe acute respiratoy syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Many procedures in the gastrointestinal motility laboratory may be considered moderate to high-risk for viral transmission. Healthcare staff working in gastrointestinal motility laboratories are frequently exposed to splashes, air droplets, mucus, or saliva during the procedures. Moreover, some are aerosol-generating and thus have a high risk of viral transmission. There are multiple guidelines on the practices of gastrointestinal endoscopy during this pandemic. However, such guidelines are still lacking and urgently needed for the practice of gastrointestinal motility laboratories. Hence, the Asian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association had organized a group of gastrointestinal motility experts and infectious disease specialists to produce a position statement paper based-on current available evidence and consensus opinion with aims to provide a clear guidance on the practices of gastrointestinal motility laboratories during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guideline covers a wide range of topics on gastrointestinal motility activities from scheduling a motility test, the precautions at different steps of the procedure to disinfection for the safety and well-being of the patients and the healthcare workers. These practices may vary in different countries depending on the stages of the pandemic, local or institutional policy, and the availability of healthcare resources. This guideline is useful when the transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 is high. It may change rapidly depending on the situation of the epidemic and when new evidence becomes available. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2020;26:299-310)

Upright Integrated Relaxation Pressure Predicts Symptom Outcome for Esophagogastric Junction Outflow Obstruction

( Songfeng Chen ),( Mengya Liang ),( Niandi Tan ),( Mengyu Zhang ),( Yuqing Lin ),( Peixian Cao ),( Qianjun Zhuang ),( Yinglian Xiao ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회(구 대한소화관운동학회) 2021 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.27 No.3

Background/Aims Esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO) is characterized by elevated integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) and preserved esophageal peristalsis. The clinical significance of EGJOO is uncertain. This study aim to describe the clinical characteristics of these patients and to find out potential parameters to predict patients’ symptom outcome. Methods Consecutive patients who received high-resolution manometry examination in our hospital in 2013-2019 and met the diagnostic criteria of EGJOO were retrospectively included. Motility and reflux parameters as well as endoscopy and barium esophagogram results were studied and compared. Patients were also followed up to record their treatment methods and symptom outcomes. Results A total of 138 EGJOO (accounting for 5.2% of total patients taking high-resolution manometry examination in our hospital) patients were included. Only 2.9% of these patients had persistent dysphagia. A total of 81.8% of EGJOO patients had symptom resolution during follow-up. Patients with persistent dysphagia had significantly higher upright IRP (16.6 [10.3, 19.8] vs 7.8 [3.2, 11.5]; P = 0.026) than those without. Upright IRP can effectively distinguished patients with persistent dysphagia (area under curve: 0.826; P = 0.026) using optimal cut-off value of 9.05 mmHg. Conclusion EGJOO patients with persistent dysphagia and higher upright IRP (median > 9.05 mmHg) needs further evaluation and aggressive management. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2021;27:363-369)