Heller's myotomy and pneumatic dilatation in the treatment of achalasia: a population‐based case–control study assessing long‐term quality of life

SummaryLong‐term health‐related quality‐of‐life (HRQL) outcomes have not been widely reported in the treatment of achalasia. The aims of this study were to examine long‐term disease‐specific and general HRQL in achalasia patients using a population‐based case–control method, and to assess HRQL between treatment interventions. Manometrically diagnosed achalasia cases (n = 120) were identified and matched with controls (n = 115) using a population‐based approach. Participants completed general (SF‐12) and disease‐specific (Achalasia Severity Questionnaire [ASQ]) HRQL questionnaires, as appropriate, in a structured interview. Mean composite scores for SF‐12 (Mental Component Summary score [MCS‐12] and Physical Component Summary score [PCS‐12]) and ASQ were compared between cases and controls, or between intervention groups, using an independent t‐test. Adjusted mean differences in HRQL scores were evaluated using a linear regression model. Achalasia cases were treated with a Heller's myotomy (n = 43), pneumatic dilatation (n = 44), or both modalities (n = 33). The median time from last treatment to HRQL assessment was 5.7 years (interquartile range 2.4–11.5). Comparing achalasia patients with controls, PCS‐12 was significantly worse (40.9 vs. 44.2, P = 0.01), but MCS‐12 was similar. However, both PCS‐12 (39.9 vs. 44.2, P = 0.03) and MCS‐12 (46.7 vs. 53.5, P = 0.004) were significantly impaired in those requiring dual treatment compared wit...

Source: Diseases of the Esophagus - October 1, 2015 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: R. T. Gray, H. G. Coleman, K. W. Lau, C. McCaughey, P. V. Coyle, L. J. Murray, B. T. Johnston Tags: Original Article Source Type: research