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Background/Aims@#It has been suggested that STW5 (Iberogast) reduces heartburn symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia, but underlying mechanisms of action are unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate whether STW5 affects esophageal sensitivity or esophageal motility, thereby reducing occurrence and perception of reflux events. @*Methods@#We performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial in patients with functional dyspepsia (Rome IV) and reflux symptoms. After 4 weeks of treatment with either placebo or STW5, patients were studied with an esophageal acid perfusion test and ambulatory 24-hour pH-impedance monitoring. @*Results@#A total of 18 patients (7 men, median age 54, range [19-76]), were included in the study. Although we found no statistical difference in our primary outcome the total Reflux Disease Questionnaire score 2.33 (0.25-4.33) vs 2.67 (1.17-4.00), P = 0.347, “gastroesophageal reflux disease” and “regurgitation” subscale scores were lower after STW5 treatment compared to placebo (P = 0.049 and P = 0.007). There was no statistical difference in number of reflux events, acid exposure time and acid sensitivity scores between STW5 and placebo. In a subgroup analysis of patients with pH-metry confirmed gastroesophageal reflux disease, treatment with STW5 significantly reduced the total number of acidic reflux events (P = 0.028). Moreover, in patients with reflux esophagitis, the median lag time to acid perception increased after STW5 treatment (P = 0.042). @*Conclusions@#We found some indications pointing towards a beneficial effect of STW5 on reflux symptoms in dyspeptic patients, with reduction of esophageal hypersensitivity as a potential underlying mechanism. Our findings will have to be confirmed in larger studies.
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Background/Aims@#Growing evidence suggests a negative effect of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) on patients’ general health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, the relevance and use of coping strategies and its relation to (disease specific) HRQOL as well as its determinants have not been studied well. @*Methods@#Adult EoE patients were invited to complete standardized measures on general HRQOL (Short Form-36 Health Survey [SF-36]) and coping strategies (Utrechtse Coping Lijst [UCL]). Scores were compared to general population norms. The disease specific Adult Eosinophilic Esophagitis Quality of Life (EoE-QOL-A) measure was used to assess EoE-HRQOL. Socio-demographic-and clinical factors were also evaluated. @*Results@#In total, 147 adult EoE patients (61% males), age 43 (interquartile range, 29-52) years were analyzed. Mental health-scores (SF-36) were significantly lower in EoE patients, whereas physical health-scores (SF-36) were similar in EoE patients (vs the general population;P = 0.010 and P = 0.240), respectively. The subdomain “disease anxiety” (EoE-QOL-A) was mostly affected, determinants were; female gender, younger age, severe clinical disease activity, higher number of food bolus extraction, and more recent EoE-diagnosis. Less effective coping styles (ie, passive/palliative reaction) were associated with a significant impact on each individual EoE-HRQOLsubdomain as well as lower scores of the Mental Health Component Scale in male EoE patients. Passive reaction in female EoEpatients correlated with impairment of the EoE-HRQOL-domains “emotional impact” and “disease anxiety.” Active problem solving was significantly related to better perception of mental HRQOL (SF-36) in both males and females. @*Conclusions@#EoE has a significant negative impact on mental HRQOL, with less effective coping strategies––specifically in males, being a relevant determinant. Thus, a pro-active approach towards coping mechanisms is needed in order to enhance HRQOL and manage patients’ burden of EoE.
RESUMO
Esophageal high-resolution manometry (HRM) is replacing conventional manometry in the clinical evaluation of patients with esophageal symptoms, especially dysphagia. The introduction of HRM gave rise to new objective metrics and recognizable patterns of esophageal motor function, requiring a new classification scheme: the Chicago classification. HRM measurements are more detailed and more easily performed compared to conventional manometry. The visual presentation of acquired data improved the analysis and interpretation of esophageal motor function. This led to a more sensitive, accurate, and objective analysis of esophageal motility. In this review we discuss how HRM changed the way we define and categorize esophageal motility disorders. Moreover, we discuss the clinical applications of HRM for each esophageal motility disorder separately.