Subtype of Achalasia and Integrated Relaxation Pressure Measured Using the Starlet High-resolution Manometry System: A Multicenter Study in Japan

• Published in: Journal of neurogastroenterology and motility Vol. 28; no. 4; pp. 562 - 571
• Main Authors: Tetsuya Tatsuta, Hiroki Sato, Yusuke Fujiyoshi, Hirofumi Abe, Akio Shiwaku, Junya Shiota, Chiaki Sato, Masaki Ominami, Yoshitaka Hata, Hisashi Fukuda, Ryo Ogawa, Jun Nakamura, Yuichiro Ikebuchi, Hiroshi Yokomichi, Shinsaku Fukuda, Haruhiro Inoue
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회 31-10-2022
• Subjects: Calcium channel blockers; Esophageal achalasia; Manometry; Nitrites; Risk factors
• ISSN: 2093-0879; 2093-0887

Background/Aims
ManoScan and Sandhill high-resolution manometry (HRM) systems are used worldwide; however, the diagnosis of achalasia on the Starlet HRM system is not fully characterized. Furthermore, the impact of calcium channel blockers and nitrites in treating achalasia has not been investigated using HRM. Management of recurrent cases is a priority issue, although few studies have examined patient characteristics.
Methods
We conducted a multicenter, large-scale database analysis. First, the diagnosis of treatment-naive achalasia in each HRM system was investigated. Next, patient characteristics were compared between type I-III achalasia, and the impact of patient characteristics, including calcium channel blocker and nitrite use for integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) values, were analyzed. Finally, patient characteristics with recurrent achalasia were elucidated.
Results
The frequency of type I achalasia with Starlet was significantly higher than that with ManoScan and Sandhill HRM systems. In achalasia, multivariate analysis identified male sex, advanced age, long disease duration, obesity, type I achalasia, and sigmoid type as risk factors related to normal IRP values (< 26 mmHg). Calcium channel blockers and nitrites use had no significant impact on the IRP values, although achalasia symptoms were indicated to be alleviated. In recurrent cases, the IRP value was significantly lower, and advanced age, long disease duration, and sigmoid type were more common than in treatment-naive patients.
Conclusions
We should cautiously interpret the type of achalasia and IRP values in the Starlet HRM system. Symptoms of recurrent cases are related to disease progression rather than IRP values, which should be considered in decision making.
(J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2022;28:562-571)