5 recent reports on the esophagus
Healio Gastroenterology presents the following reports on the most recent research on the esophagus and GERD.
These reports include new research on eosinophilic esophagitis, proton pump inhibitors and Barrett’s esophagus, as well as new guidelines for achalasia.
Novel esophageal capsule not ready for population screening for Barrett’s esophagus
A novel esophageal capsule was not seen as ready for population screening for Barrett’s esophagus, according to results form a pilot study.
“We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of a novel third-generation capsule with an improved frame rate of 35 frames per second for the detection of BE in a pilot study,” Abhiram Duvvuri, MD, from the department of gastroenterology at Kansas City VA Medical Center, and colleagues wrote. READ MORE
Acid exposure reflux monitoring predicts PPI discontinuation in GERD
Acid exposure reflux monitoring predicted the ability to discontinue proton pump inhibitor use without symptom escalation among patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and inadequate proton pump inhibitor response.
“This study is the first of its kind to provide high-level evidence in support of early reflux monitoring of acid suppression in order to phenotype the patient with inadequate PPI response, and personalize care accordingly,” Rena Yadlapati, MD MS, from the division of gastroenterology at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and colleagues wrote. “A phenotype guided care approach for patients with suspected GERD and inadequate PPI response has tremendous implications for health-related quality of life and resource utilization associated with GERD.” READ MORE
ACG develops clinical guidelines for diagnosis, treatment of achalasia
The ACG released clinical guidelines to diagnose and treat patients with achalasia.
“Achalasia is a rare diagnosis with only [20,000 to 40,000] affected patients in the United States. It occurs equally in men and women, with no racial predilection,” Michael F. Vaezi, MD, PhD, MSc, FACG, from the division of gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, and colleagues wrote. “The peak incidence occurs between 30 and 60 years of age. Patients often present with progressive dysphagia to solids and liquids, heartburn, chest pain, regurgitation, and varying degrees of weight loss or nutritional deficiencies.” READ MORE
ACG issues guidelines for esophageal physiologic tests
The ACG developed clinical guidelines for esophageal physiologic tests, published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology.
The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation process was used to describe performance characteristics and clinical value of esophageal physiologic tests. Investigators then created recommendations for esophageal physiologic tests used in routine clinical practice. READ MORE
Real-world data show efficacy of PPIs in EoE
Patients with eosinophilic esophagitis achieved clinical and histological remission after undergoing treatment with proton pump inhibitors, according to study results.
Emilio J. Laserna-Mendieta, of the department of gastroenterology at Hospital General de Tomelloso in Spain, and colleagues wrote that PPIs are frequently used in EoE, but a lot about their efficacy in that setting is still unclear. READ MORE