Pre- and post-intervention oesophageal pressure topography metrics in the three subtypes of achalasia: A pilot study on Indian adults

Background

Achalasia is characterized by failure of relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) and abnormal peristalsis during swallowing. The study aimed to observe the effects of intervention in three sub-types of achalasia and compare the intervention outcomes among the three sub-types.

Methods

Forty-one patients underwent Eckardt scoring for severity of achalasia, followed by high-resolution manometry (HRM). After three and six months of intervention (pneumatic dilatation or 'Heller's Cardiomyotomy), Eckardt scoring and HRM were repeated and compared with the initial results.

Results

Out of the 41 patients, 13 were diagnosed with type I achalasia (31.71%), 18 with type II (43.90%), and 10 with type III (24.39%). Significant differences between the pre- and post-intervention values of median integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) and Eckardt score were found in all three sub-types. Although the beneficial effect of intervention lasted up to six months postintervention, it was less than three months postintervention values. The intervention success rates were highest for both laparoscopic Heller's myotomy (LHM) and pneumatic dilatation (PD) in Type II Achalasia at three and six months postintervention, respectively.

Conclusion

One-time intervention is effective in all three sub-types. This benefit tends to taper over time but remains significant after six months of intervention. Type II Achalasia shows the best intervention outcomes compared to the other two sub-types at three months and six months post-intervention. Type III Achalasia shows the least response compared to other sub-types and is the poorest responder to intervention. The benefit of one-time intervention also deteriorates most in type III achalasia at the end of six months.