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Joel E Richter

Publications and source records attributed to Joel E Richter.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Hospital-acquired gastrointestinal bleeding outside the critical care unit: risk factors, role of acid suppression, and endoscopy findings.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for hospital-acquired gastrointestinal bleeding in the intensive care unit are established, and acid-suppressive prophylaxis has been advocated for certain subsets of critically ill patients. In contrast, risk factors and appropriate prevention strategies are not yet established for general medical patients. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for nosocomial gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in non-critically ill medical patients, to evaluate the utility of prophylactic gastric acid suppression, and to characterize the endoscopic lesions. METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study that took place at a U.S. tertiary care center. All patients admitted to the General Medicine ward for nongastrointestinal disorders who developed clinically relevant gastrointestinal bleeding during admission or within 4 weeks of discharge were considered cases. Clinically relevant bleeding was defined as any bleeding requiring esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Random controls were matched to cases by date of hospitalization in a 1:1 ratio. Clinical information was extracted by chart review. RESULTS: Of 17,707 patients admitted to the General Medicine ward over a 4-year period, 73 (0.41%) met the case definition. The main risk factor for nosocomial GIB was treatment with full dose anticoagulants or clopidogrel (OR = 5.4; 2.6-11.7; P < .0001). Use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and glucocorticoids did not differ significantly between cases and controls. De novo acid-suppressive prophylaxis was not protective (OR = 1.0; 95% CI: 0.4-2.4; P = 0.97). Endoscopic abnormalities were noted in 74% of patients; many cases had lesions unlikely to be prevented by acid blockade. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital-acquired gastrointestinal bleeding is uncommon in non-critically ill patients. Anticoagulation appears to be the most important risk factor for nosocomial GIB. Routine use of acid suppressant medications for prophylaxis is unnecessary in most hospitalized patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Surgical fundoplication in laryngopharyngeal reflux unresponsive to aggressive acid suppression: a controlled study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In patients with persistent laryngeal symptoms despite aggressive proton pump inhibitor therapy, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) continues to be implicated. The role of surgical fundoplication as the definitive therapy for these patients is uncertain. METHODS: In this prospective concurrent controlled study, 72 patients with suspected GERD-related laryngeal symptoms received aggressive acid-suppressive therapy. Four-month symptomatic nonresponders (<50% improvement) with continued laryngeal inflammation and normalized esophageal acid exposure were offered laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. The primary outcome was symptom improvement/resolution at 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: Twenty-five of 72 (35%) patients remained unresponsive after 4 months of acid-suppressive therapy. Ten patients (40%) underwent surgical fundoplication (median age, 54 y; men, 4) and 15 patients (60%) continued medical therapy (median age, 52; men, 4). The most common laryngeal symptoms were sore throat, hoarseness, and cough. pH studies at 3 and 12 months were normal in all patients after fundoplication (median % time pH < 4, .0% and .3%; respectively). One of 10 (10%) patients in the surgery group reported improvement of laryngeal symptoms at 1 year compared with 1 of 15 in the control group (6.7%) (P = 1.0). Treatment of causes other than GERD improved symptoms in an additional 2 of 10 (20%) patients in the surgical group, and 10 of 15 (66%) patients in the nonsurgical cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical fundoplication does not improve laryngeal symptoms reliably in patients unresponsive to aggressive proton pump inhibitor therapy. The argument of low volume or intermittent reflux as the cause of persistent laryngeal symptoms needs to be replaced with evaluation and therapy for other potential non-GERD causes.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The long-term efficacy of pneumatic dilatation and Heller myotomy for the treatment of achalasia.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Studies comparing long-term success after pneumatic dilatation (PD) and laparoscopic Heller myotomy (HM) are lacking. This study compares long-term outcome of PD (single dilatation and graded approach) and laparoscopic HM and identifies risk factors for treatment failure. METHODS: A cross-sectional follow-up evaluation of an achalasia cohort treated between 1994 and 2002 was followed-up for a mean of 3.1 years. There was a total of 106 patients treated by graded PD (1-3 dilatations with progressively larger balloons) and 73 patients treated by HM (20 had failed graded PD and crossed over to HM). A symptom assessment (structured telephone interview or clinic visit) was performed and patients were given freedom from alternative therapies to determine treatment outcome. Endoscopy, manometry, and timed barium esophagram were performed to determine the cause of treatment failure. RESULTS: The success of single PD was defined as freedom from additional PDs: 62% at 6 months and 28% at 6 years (risk factors for failure: younger age, male sex, wider esophagus, and poor emptying on posttreatment timed barium esophagram). Freedom from subsequent PDs increased with each dilatation (graded PD). The success of graded PD and HM, defined as dysphagia/regurgitation less than 3 times/wk or freedom from alternative treatment, was similar: 90% vs 89% at 6 months and 44% vs 57% at 6 years (no risk factors for failure were identified). Causes of symptom recurrence were incompletely treated achalasia (96% after PD vs 64% after HM) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (4% after PD vs 36% after HM). CONCLUSIONS: No treatment cures achalasia. Short- and long-term success is similar for graded PD and laparoscopic HM. Therapeutic success decreases steadily over time. Achalasia patients need careful long-term follow-up evaluation.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Treatment of chronic posterior laryngitis with esomeprazole.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of acid-suppressive therapy with the proton pump inhibitor esomeprazole on the signs and symptoms of chronic posterior laryngitis (CPL) in patients with suspected reflux laryngitis. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter, randomized, parallel-group trial that compared twice-daily esomeprazole 40 mg with placebo for 16 weeks. METHODS: Eligible patients had a history of one or more CPL symptoms (throat clearing, cough, globus, sore throat, or hoarseness) and laryngoscopic signs indicating reflux laryngitis based on CPL index (CPLI) scores measured during a screening laryngoscopy. Patients were randomized to treatment if their 7-day screening diary-card recordings showed a cumulative primary symptom score of 9 or higher and they had 3 or more days with moderately severe symptoms based on a 7-point scale. Efficacy was assessed by changes in symptoms as recorded by patients and investigators and by changes in CPLI scores based on laryngoscopic examinations. RESULTS: The patients' primary CPL symptom at final visit (primary efficacy end point) was resolved in 14.7% (14/95) and 16.0% (8/50) of patients in the esomeprazole and placebo groups, respectively (P=.799). Esomeprazole and placebo were not significantly different for change from baseline to the final visit in mean total CPLI (-1.66+/-2.13 vs. -2.0+/-2.55, respectively; P=.446) or any other secondary efficacy end points based on patient diary card or investigator assessments. CONCLUSION: This study provides no evidence of a therapeutic benefit of treatment with esomeprazole 40 mg twice daily for 16 weeks compared with placebo for signs and symptoms associated with CPL.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Chronic laryngitis associated with gastroesophageal reflux: prospective assessment of differences in practice patterns between gastroenterologists and ENT physicians.

OBJECTIVES: Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physicians often diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-related laryngitis on the basis of symptoms and laryngeal signs; and may refer patients to gastroenterologists who contend that many such patients do not have reflux. Because of this dichotomy we designed this study to assess the practice pattern differences among ENT physicians and gastroenterologists in relation to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with GERD-related laryngitis. METHODS: Separate surveys were specifically designed for ENT physicians and gastroenterologists to assess the following: the percentage of patients diagnosed with GERD-related laryngitis, dose and duration of therapy, treatment response, and other diagnostic options in nonresponders. A total of 2000 surveys were mailed randomly to members of both the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery and the American Gastroenterological Association. RESULTS: Of the total 4,000 surveys sent, 782 (39%) ENT physicians and 565 (28%) gastroenterologists responded. Most respondents (both specialties) were private practitioners (82% and 74%, respectively). From the ENT survey, the diagnosis was most commonly suspected based on the following symptoms: globus = throat clearing > cough > hoarseness. The most useful signs were laryngeal erythema and edema reported by 70% of respondents. Seventy-four percent of ENT physicians reported they made the diagnosis more on symptoms than on laryngeal signs, and initiated therapy most often with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) once daily for 2 months. Gastroenterologists were divided on pre-therapy testing, 50% reporting testing with esophagogastro-duodenoscopy followed by pH monitoring (distal > proximal) prior to therapy, while the remaining 50% reported treating empirically with PPI twice daily for 3 months. Seventy percent of gastroenterologists reported treatment response of less than 60%, while 62% of ENT physicians reported response rate of greater than 60% (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: (1) Globus and throat clearing were considered the most useful symptoms in diagnosing GERD-related laryngitis, while laryngeal erythema and edema were considered the most useful signs for diagnosis and treatment of this condition by ENT physicians. However, these symptoms and signs may represent the least specific markers for reflux. (2) Many gastroenterologists perform pre-therapy testing which has low sensitivity in GERD-related laryngitis. (3) There is a dichotomy in treatment dose, duration, and perceived patient response to therapy between the two specialists. (4) Our study highlights a need for cross communication and education between these two disciplines in understanding and treating GERD-related laryngitis better.

Anti-Ulcer Agents↗
PubMed2006

Short segment Barrett's esophagus: ignorance may be bliss.

Data suggest the incidence of Barrett's esophagus is increasing, but the vast majority are of the short segment (SS) variety. Whether SSBE has an increased cancer risk is poorly defined, whereas overdiagnosis is common and it is associated with increased insurance costs and perception of cancer risks. Maybe in this disease, ignorance is bliss.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2006

Barrett's esophagus at a tertiary care center: association of age on incidence and prevalence of dysplasia and adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is traditionally thought of as a disease of middle-aged Caucasian men. Little is known about BE in younger patients. We sought to assess the effect of age on features of BE including the prevalence and incidence of dysplasia and carcinoma. METHODS: All patients enrolled into the Cleveland Clinic BE registry from 1979 to 2002 were studied. Age, ethnicity, number of endoscopies, hiatal hernia size, length of Barrett's segment, prevalence and incidence of dysplasia, and cancer were compared between patients > or = 50 yr old and < 50 yr old. RESULTS: There were 837 patients in the registry (638 > or = 50 yr, 199 < 50 yr). Hiatal hernia size was larger in patients > or = 50 yr than in those < 50 yr (median 4.0 cm, interquartile range 2.0-5.0 cm vs 3.0, 2.0-4.0 cm; p < 0.01). Otherwise, there were no significant differences among other features in the patient population. There were 225 patients with dysplasia or cancer (195 > or = 50 yr and 30 < 50 yr; p < 0.01). Of this group, 176 were prevalent cases (159 > or = 50 yr and 17 < 50 yr) and 49 were incident cases (36 > or = 50 yr and 13 < 50 yr). The odds of those > or = 50 yr being a prevalent case of high-grade dysplasia or cancer was five times the odds of those < 50 yr (p < 0.01). The incidence of dysplasia or cancer was similar in both age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports emerging data that approximately 25% of BE patients are less than 50 yr of age. While older patients had a higher prevalence of dysplasia or adenocarcinoma, the incidence of dysplasia and adenocarcinoma is similar in both age groups. Future screening strategies for BE should recognize these important findings.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

A physiologic clinical study of achalasia: should Dor fundoplication be added to Heller myotomy?

OBJECTIVE: Myotomy for achalasia disrupts the lower esophageal sphincter, improving emptying at the expense of reflux. We hypothesized that surgical palliation of achalasia requires balancing desirable improvement in esophageal emptying with undesirable production of gastroesophageal reflux. Therefore, we objectively studied the physiologic effects of adding Dor fundoplication to Heller myotomy. METHODS: From December 1996 to June 2004, 149 patients underwent Heller myotomy; 88 (59%) had additional Dor fundoplication. The adequacy of myotomy was assessed by premyotomy to postmyotomy change in lower esophageal sphincter pressures, esophageal emptying by change in timed barium esophagram, and gastroesophageal reflux by postoperative 24-hour pH monitoring. RESULTS: For adequacy of myotomy, postmyotomy resting lower esophageal sphincter pressure was higher with (median, 18 mm Hg) than without (median, 13 mm Hg) Dor fundoplication (P = .002), as was residual lower esophageal sphincter pressure (median, 4.6 vs 1.8 mm Hg; P = .01). For esophageal emptying, postmyotomy barium height and width were similar with or without Dor fundoplication (P > .1). For gastroesophageal reflux, percentage of upright time with a pH of less than 4 was lower with (median, 0.4%) than without (median, 2.9%) Dor fundoplication (P = .005), and percentage of supine time with a pH of less than 4 was lower with (median, 0%) than without (median, 5.8%) Dor fundoplication (P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of Dor fundoplication reduces the adequacy of myotomy without impairing emptying and reduces reflux. Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication balance emptying and reflux and therefore should be the surgical treatment of choice for achalasia.

Digestive System Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed2005

Modern management of achalasia.

The goals in the treatment of achalasia are threefold: 1) relieving the symptoms, particularly dysphagia and bland regurgitation; 2) improving esophageal emptying by disrupting the poorly relaxing lower esophageal sphincter (LES); and 3) preventing the development of megaesophagus. Although achalasia cannot be permanently cured, excellent palliation is available in over 90% of patients, especially those with pneumatic dilation and laparoscopic Heller myotomy. The efficacy for short- and long-term therapy seems to be similar when performed by experts. Pneumatic dilation done as an outpatient surgery disrupts the LES muscle from within by using balloons of progressively larger diameter (3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 cm). Repeat dilations may be required; secondary severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is rare, but approximately 2% of patients will have an esophageal perforation. A surgical Heller myotomy is now being done laparoscopically through the abdomen that cuts the LES and extends the myotomy 2 to 3 cm onto the stomach. Usually 2 days of hospitalization is required, and patients can normally return to work in 1 to 2 weeks. Severe GERD with esophagitis and peptic stricture is a common complication; therefore, most surgeons combine the myotomy with an incomplete fundoplication. Medical therapy is much less effective than these invasive procedures. Smooth muscle relaxants (nitrates and calcium channel blockers) taken immediately before meals improve dysphagia, but side effects and drug tolerance are common. The injection of botulinum toxin (100 to 200 units) endoscopically into the LES gives short-term relief of symptoms and improves esophageal emptying. This treatment is most effective in the elderly, as symptom relief can last up to 1 to 2 years with a single injection. Several studies suggest the most cost-effective management of achalasia is initial treatment with pneumatic dilation.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

New investigational therapies for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Although PPI have revolutionized the treatment of GERD and its complications, many patients continue to have breakthrough symptoms and take antacids and H2RA. Furthermore, acid reflux actually is the innocent bystander, with few drugs available to target the true culprit, a dysfunctional LES. Future development of treatments, such as the GABA(B) agonists, which reduce TLESR, may prove an important advance in the therapy of GERD by controlling acid and nonacid reflux better. The chemical, pharmacodynamic, and clinical limitations of PPI may be addressed by the development of innovative drugs, such as the P-CAB or gastrin vaccine, to control acid secretion. Which of these drugs, if any, will be the new GERD drug for the millennium is unknown. There is no question, however, that improved drug treatments will parallel a better understanding of the complicated pathophysiology of GERD.

Drugs, Investigational↗
PubMed2005

Esophageal manometry: assessment of interpreter consistency.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Manometry is used widely in the evaluation of esophageal disorders. Our aim was to assess the intra- and interobserver reliability of esophageal manometry and identify potential causes for diagnostic variability. METHODS: Seventy-two esophageal manometry tracings were selected randomly from archives. Eight interpreters randomly and blindly evaluated tracings. Interpreters were divided into 3 groups: highly experienced (N = 3), moderately experienced (N = 3), and inexperienced (N = 2). Each tracing was examined for abnormalities involving the lower-esophageal sphincter (LES) and esophageal body. Interpreters rendered a single diagnosis from a list of 7 manometric diagnoses: normal, nutcracker, hypertensive LES, hypotensive LES, diffuse esophageal spasm (DES), nonspecific/ineffective esophageal motility (IEM), and achalasia. Intra- and interobserver agreements were determined and reasons for varied diagnoses were investigated. RESULTS: Overall intraobserver agreement was good (kappa = .63, P < .0001). There was no difference ( P = .9) between the highly and midexperienced interpreters (kappa = .61 and .65, respectively). Interobserver agreement for the diagnosis of achalasia and normal motility was good (kappa = .65 and .56, respectively). However, other manometric diagnoses yielded only fair interobserver agreement (kappa = .27). DES, nonspecific/ineffective esophageal motility (IEM), and hypo- and hypertensive LES diagnoses showed the least agreement. Poor adherence to established manometric criteria, misinterpretation of intrabolus pressure, and technical inadequacy were the most common sources of inconsistency in interpretations. CONCLUSIONS: Manometric diagnoses of conditions other than normal or achalasia are variable and have poor interobserver variability. Given their uncertain clinical implications, we must either redefine them or eliminate them from practice.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Barrett's esophagus in women: demographic features and progression to high-grade dysplasia and cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Barrett's esophagus is traditionally considered a disease of older white men. The aims of this study were to compare the demographic features of Barrett's esophagus in men and women and to determine the prevalence and incidence of high-grade dysplasia and cancer in these patients. METHODS: All patients enrolled in the Cleveland Clinic Barrett's Esophagus Registry from 1979-2002 were studied. Age, ethnicity, number of endoscopies, hiatal hernia size, length of Barrett's segment, and prevalence and incidence of high-grade dysplasia and cancer were compared between men and women. RESULTS: There were 839 patients in the registry (628 men and 211 women). Barrett's segment length was greater in men than in women (mean, 5.06 +/- 4.2 vs 4.05 +/- 3.27 cm, respectively; P = .003). There were no significant differences for other parameters. There were 114 prevalence cases of high-grade dysplasia or cancer (96 men, 18 women). Women were less likely to have prevalent high-grade dysplasia or cancer than men (odds ratio, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.31-0.88; P = .015). There were 13 incidence cases of high-grade dysplasia or cancer (11 men, 2 women) during a mean follow-up of 4.72 years, which was similar in both genders with an incidence rate of 1 in 179 patient-years of follow-up for women and 1 in 91 patient-years of follow-up in men. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-five percent of patients in our registry are women. The length of Barrett's esophagus is greater in men than in women, but other features are similar. The prevalence of high-grade dysplasia/cancer in women is approximately half that of men. Incidence rates for high-grade dysplasia/cancer are similar in men and women, although the number of cases is small.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2005

Laryngopharyngeal reflux: prospective cohort study evaluating optimal dose of proton-pump inhibitor therapy and pretherapy predictors of response.

PURPOSE: Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is frequently treated with empiric proton-pump inhibitors (PPI), but the optimal dosing and duration is unknown. We performed an open label prospective cohort study to evaluate whether twice-daily (BID) PPI is more effective than once-daily (QD) PPI for the treatment of LPR. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with LPR based on ear, nose, and throat (ENT) symptoms and laryngoscopy findings were enrolled. Questionnaire assessed demographics, ENT symptoms, symptom severity, and exposure to other potential laryngeal irritants. Esophageal manometry, ambulatory 24-hour pH monitoring, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were performed before initiation of therapy. Patients were consecutively assigned to three groups: BID PPI (lansoprazole 30 mg BID), BID PPI + H2 receptor antagonist (H2RA; omeprazole 20 mg BID + ranitidine 300 mg each night), or QD PPI (esomeprazole 40 mg QD). Greater than 50% primary symptom improvement from baseline defined symptom response. At 2 month follow-up, the same PPI dose was continued for responders, and PPIs were doubled for nonresponders for an additional 2 months. Repeat symptom assessment and laryngoscopy performed at 4 month follow-up. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients were enrolled (median age 49 years, interquartile range 44.0 - 65.0; 76% white; 34% male). Treatment groups were BID PPI for 30 patients, BID PPI + H2RA for 30 patients, and QD PPI for 25 patients. RESPONSE TO THERAPY: At 2 months, BID response occurred among 15 of 30 (50%) patients, BID + H2RA for 15 of 30 (50%), and QD for 7 of 25 (28%) (P = .03). No statistical difference found between the two BID PPI groups with and without H2RA. Among the QD group nonresponders, 7 of 13 (54%) achieved symptom response with additional 2 months of BID dosing. At 4 month follow-up, an additional 22% of responses were obtained from the two BID groups (43/60, 72%). The overall response rate for all three groups was 70% (54/77). PREDICTORS OF OUTCOME: Pretherapy interarytenoid mucosa and true vocal folds abnormalities were associated with twofold increase in symptom response (odds ratio 1.99 and 1.96, respectively, P = .017). CONCLUSION: BID PPI appears to be more effective than QD PPI in achieving clinical symptom response in suspected LPR. More response was achieved at 4 months compared with 2 months. Therefore, aggressive acid suppression with BID PPI for at least 4 months is warranted for treatment of LPR.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗
PubMed2005

Correlation between symptoms and laryngeal signs in laryngopharyngeal reflux.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is diagnosed by the presence of laryngeal signs and symptoms. Some studies have noted that signs and symptoms may be nonspecific and may have poor correlation. However, many such studies were either observational or had short-term follow-up. Therefore, we conducted subgroup analysis of a prospective concurrent controlled study with a 1 year follow-up to study the correlation between signs and symptoms. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: Seventy-two patients with suspected gastroesophageal reflux disease related laryngeal symptoms/signs received a 4 month trial of aggressive acid-suppressive therapy. Four month symptomatic nonresponders (<50% improvement) with continued laryngeal inflammation and normalized esophageal acid exposure were then offered laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. The primary outcome was laryngeal symptom-sign correlation at 1 year postsurgery. RESULTS: Twenty-five of 72 (35%) patients remained unresponsive after 4 months of aggressive acid suppressive therapy. Ten (40%) patients agreed to undergo surgical fundoplication (mean age = 50, male = 4). The most common laryngeal symptoms were sore throat (40%), hoarseness (30%), and cough (20%), whereas the most common signs were medial arytenoid wall erythema/edema (60%), interarytenoid erythema (50%), and arytenoid complex erythema/edema (50%). At 1 year postfundoplication, laryngeal symptoms improved in only 1 of 10 (10%) patient, whereas signs improved in 8 of 10 (80%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: There appears to be poor correlation between signs and symptoms of LPR, particularly when monitoring therapeutic outcomes. In patients unresponsive to twice-daily proton-pump inhibitor therapy for 4 months, further aggressive therapy is unlikely to bring additional symptomatic benefit.

Anti-Ulcer Agents↗
PubMed2005

Prevalence of laryngeal irritation signs associated with reflux in asymptomatic volunteers: impact of endoscopic technique (rigid vs. flexible laryngoscope).

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to 1) determine the prevalence of ENT findings in the normal asymptomatic population and 2) to compare findings between flexible and rigid laryngoscopes in an attempt to increase specificity of diagnosis of reflux in endoscopic laryngeal examinations. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: Fifty-two nonsmoker volunteers (24 male, 28 female), mean age of 42.7 years, with no history of ENT abnormalities or gastroesophageal reflux disease, underwent both rigid and flexible videolaryngologic examinations with a digital endoscopic unit. A group of three expert judges reviewed the oral and transnasal examinations blindly and independently for physical signs of irritation/inflammation commonly associated with reflux. RESULTS: Atleast one sign of tissue irritation was detected in 93% and 83% of the population when using a flexible and a rigid laryngoscope, respectively. Results showed a high incidence of posterior commissure bar (53.2% and 51.9%), arytenoid complex edema/erythema (76.3% and 53.2%), and pseudosulcus (37.2% and 7.7%). Most signs were more frequently detected on flexible transasal examinations than with rigid transoral examinations: posterior pharyngeal wall (<0.01), interarytenoid irritation (<0.01), arytenoids complex irritation (<0.01), ventricular obliteration (<0.01), and pseudosulcus (<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Several signs of posterior laryngeal irritation (e.g., interarytenoid bar, erythema of the medial wall of the arytenoids), which are generally considered to be signs of laryngopharyngeal reflux, are present in a high percentage of nonsymptomatic individuals, raising question about their diagnostic specificity. In addition, these signs were more often detected with flexible than with rigid laryngoscopes, suggesting that flexible laryngoscopy is more sensitive but less specific in identifying laryngeal tissue irritation.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Predictors of outcome of pneumatic dilation in achalasia.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Graded pneumatic dilation (PD) is a widely accepted treatment for achalasia. We investigated the potential predictors of outcome in a large group of patients with achalasia and tested the hypothesis that graded PD may not be appropriate for all patients. METHODS: Patients undergoing PD from 1992 to 2002 were evaluated retrospectively. Symptom scores (0-15) for dysphagia (0-5), regurgitation (0-5), and chest pain (0-5), as well as degree of esophageal emptying by timed barium swallow, were assessed for all patients. Failure was defined as the return of symptoms resulting in repeated PD or surgical myotomy. Clinical data assessed for short- and long-term predictors of response. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients with achalasia without previous therapy constituted the studied population. Three-year success rates for PD using 3.0-cm, 3.0-cm followed by 3.5-cm, and 3.0-cm and 3.5-cm followed by 4.0-cm Rigiflex balloons were 37% (95% confidence interval [CI], 26-53), 76% (95% CI, 65-88), and 88% (95% CI, 80-97), respectively. Patient age and sex were important treatment outcome predictors. A Cox proportional hazards model of time to additional therapy on sex and 10-year increase in age showed that 3.0-cm PD was significantly (P = 0.04) more likely to fail in younger men than older men (hazard ratio, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.41-0.98). In 25 of 68 patients (37%) initially treated with a 3.0-cm balloon, PD failed within 3 months. Twenty-two of 25 patients (88%) with early failure were men. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Young men have a greater failure rate with 3.0-cm PD than older men or women in general, and (2) graded PD in this group starting initially with the 3.0-cm balloon is more likely to fail.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Erythromycin in the short- and long-term control of dyspepsia symptoms in patients with gastroparesis.

BACKGROUND: Few prokinetic drugs are available to treat gastroparesis. Data are limited on short-term and long-term efficacy of erythromycin as a prokinetic drug. GOALS: Assess efficacy of low-dose erythromycin suspension to treat gastroparesis. STUDY: Patients with dyspepsia and gastroparesis by gastric emptying study were treated with low-bulk diet and low-dose (50-100 mg 3 times a day and at bedtime) oral erythromycin suspension. Data were collected by retrospective chart review and telephone questionnaire for short- and long-term follow-up, respectively. RESULTS: Of 25 patients, 18 had short-term follow-up, 18 had longterm follow-up, and 14 had both. On short-term follow-up, 15 patients (83%) experienced some or dramatic improvement, while 3 (17%) experienced worsening or no change in symptoms (P = 0.005). Mean duration of long-term use was 11 +/- 7 months. On long-term followup, 12 (67%) patients noticed some or dramatic improvement, while 6 (33%) experienced worsening or no change in symptoms (P = 0.16). Correlation (0.7) between short- and long-term response was significant (P < 0.005). Of the 3 patients with poor short-term response, none did well long term. Of the 11 patients with some or dramatic response in short-term, 7 continued to have some response long term. There was no relation between gastric emptying time and response to erythromycin suspension. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of gastroparesis with low-dose erythromycin and low-bulk diet results in a dramatic short-term improvement in the majority of patients. Short-term response predicts long-term response. This response may not be as great, possibly due to tachyphylaxis.

Adult↗