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Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Effect of Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy vs Pneumatic Dilation on Symptom Severity and Treatment Outcomes Among Treatment-Naive Patients With AchalasiaA Randomized Clinical Trial

Educational Objective
To learn about treatment options for patients with achalasia.
1 Credit CME
JAMA
July 9, 2019
Original Investigation
Fraukje A. Ponds, MD1;
Paul Fockens, MD, PhD1;
Aaltje Lei, BSc1;
Horst Neuhaus, MD, PhD2;
Torsten Beyna, MD2;
Jennis Kandler, MD2;
Thomas Frieling, MD, PhD3;
Philip W. Y. Chiu, MD, PhD4;
Justin C. Y. Wu, MD, PhD5;
Vivien W. Y. Wong, BSc4;
Guido Costamagna, MD, PhD6,7;
Pietro Familiari, MD6;
Peter J. Kahrilas, MD, PhD8;
John E. Pandolfino, MD, PhD8;
André J. P. M. Smout, MD, PhD1;
Albert J. Bredenoord, MD, PhD1
Author Affiliations
  • 1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
  • 2Department of Gastroenterology, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
  • 3Department of Gastroenterology, Helios Klinikum Krefeld, Düsseldorf, Germany
  • 4Institute of Digestive Disease, Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
  • 5Institute of Digestive Disease, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hongkong, China
  • 6Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Agostino Gemelli University Hospital, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
  • 7IHU IAS Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France
  • 8Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
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Key Points

Question  What is the effect of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), compared with pneumatic dilation, on symptom severity and treatment outcomes among patients with treatment-naive achalasia?

Findings  In this randomized clinical trial that included 133 treatment-naive adult patients with achalasia, the treatment success rate, defined as a reduction in the patient’s Eckardt score to less than or equal to 3 and the absence of severe complications or need for re-treatment, after 2 years of follow-up was 58 of 63 patients (92%) in the POEM group and 34 of 63 (54%) in the pneumatic dilation group, which was a statistically significant difference.

Meaning  These findings support the consideration of POEM as an initial treatment option for patients with achalasia.

Abstract

Importance  Case series suggest favorable results of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for treatment of patients with achalasia. Data comparing POEM with pneumatic dilation, the standard treatment for patients with achalasia, are lacking.

Objective  To compare the effects of POEM vs pneumatic dilation as initial treatment of treatment-naive patients with achalasia.

Design, Setting, and Participants  This randomized multicenter clinical trial was conducted at 6 hospitals in the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Hong Kong, and the United States. Adult patients with newly diagnosed achalasia and an Eckardt score greater than 3 who had not undergone previous treatment were included. The study was conducted between September 2012 and July 2015, the duration of follow-up was 2 years after the initial treatment, and the final date of follow-up was November 22, 2017.

Interventions  Randomization to receive POEM (n = 67) or pneumatic dilation with a 30-mm and a 35-mm balloon (n = 66), with stratification according to hospital.

Main Outcomes and Measures  The primary outcome was treatment success (defined as an Eckardt score ≤3 and the absence of severe complications or re-treatment) at the 2-year follow-up. A total of 14 secondary end points were examined among patients without treatment failure, including integrated relaxation pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter via high-resolution manometry, barium column height on timed barium esophagogram, and presence of reflux esophagitis.

Results  Of the 133 randomized patients, 130 (mean age, 48.6 years; 73 [56%] men) underwent treatment (64 in the POEM group and 66 in the pneumatic dilation group) and 126 (95%) completed the study. The primary outcome of treatment success occurred in 58 of 63 patients (92%) in the POEM group vs 34 of 63 (54%) in the pneumatic dilation group, a difference of 38% ([95% CI, 22%-52%]; P < .001). Of the 14 prespecified secondary end points, no significant difference between groups was demonstrated in 10 end points. There was no significant between-group difference in median integrated relaxation pressure (9.9 mm Hg in the POEM group vs 12.6 mm Hg in the pneumatic dilation group; difference, 2.7 mm Hg [95% CI, −2.1 to 7.5]; P = .07) or median barium column height (2.3 cm in the POEM group vs 0 cm in the pneumatic dilation group; difference, 2.3 cm [95% CI, 1.0-3.6]; P = .05). Reflux esophagitis occurred more often in the POEM group than in the pneumatic dilation group (22 of 54 [41%] vs 2 of 29 [7%]; difference, 34% [95% CI, 12%-49%]; P = .002). Two serious adverse events, including 1 perforation, occurred after pneumatic dilation, while no serious adverse events occurred after POEM.

Conclusions and Relevance  Among treatment-naive patients with achalasia, treatment with POEM compared with pneumatic dilation resulted in a significantly higher treatment success rate at 2 years. These findings support consideration of POEM as an initial treatment option for patients with achalasia.

Trial Registration  Netherlands Trial Register number: NTR3593

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Gastroenterology Gastroesophageal Reflux Gastrointestinal Surgery Gastroduodenal Ulcer Surgery Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Article Information

Accepted for Publication: June 7, 2019.

Corresponding Author: Albert J. Bredenoord, MD, PhD, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, the Netherlands (a.j.bredenoord@amsterdamumc.nl).

Author Contributions: Drs Ponds and Bredenoord had full access to all of the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

Concept and design: Ponds, Fockens, Chiu, Kahrilas, Pandolfino, Smout, Bredenoord.

Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: Ponds, Fockens, Lei, Neuhaus, Beyna, Kandler, Frieling, Chiu, Wu, Wong, Costamagna, Familiari, Pandolfino, Smout, Bredenoord.

Drafting of the manuscript: Ponds, Fockens, Bredenoord.

Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: All authors.

Statistical analysis: Ponds.

Obtained funding: Fockens, Bredenoord.

Administrative, technical, or material support: Ponds, Fockens, Lei, Beyna, Frieling, Chiu, Wu, Familiari, Kahrilas, Pandolfino, Bredenoord.

Supervision: Ponds, Fockens, Beyna, Costamagna, Familiari, Kahrilas, Smout, Bredenoord.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Fockens reported receiving personal fees from Cook Endoscopy, Olympus, Ethicon Endosurgery, and Fujifilm, consulting for Medtronic, and receiving research support from Boston Scientific and Ovesco outside the submitted work. Dr Beyna reported receiving grants, personal fees, and nonfinancial support from Olympus, and Boston Scientific, personal fees and nonfinancial support from Medtronic, personal fees from Falk Foundation, and grants and nonfinancial support from Erbe USA outside the submitted work. Dr Wu reported receiving personal fees from AstraZeneca, Takeda, Reckitt Benckiser, and Menarini outside the submitted work. Dr Costamagna reported receiving personal fees and nonfinancial support from Olympus, grants from Boston Scientific, and grants and nonfinancial support from Cook Medical outside the submitted work. Dr Kahrilas reported receiving grants from the National Institutes of Health during the conduct of the study. Dr Pandolfino reported receiving personal fees from Medtronic, Diversatek, Torax, Ironwood, and Takeda and a grant from Impleo outside the submitted work. Dr Bredenoord reported receiving grants and personal fees from Norgine, grants and personal fees from Laborie, personal fees from Medtronic, personal fees from Diversatek, grants from Nutricia, personal fees from Regeneron, personal fees from Celgene, grants and personal fees from Bayer, and personal fees from DrFalk outside the submitted work and grants from Fonds NutsOhra and ESGE Research during the conduct of the study. No other disclosures were reported.

Funding/Support: This study was made possible with financial support from Fonds NutsOhra (FNO grant 1202-022) and an ESGE Research Grant.

Role of the Funder/Sponsor: The funder had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Data Sharing Statement: See Supplement 4.

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