Background and Aims Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia is particularly appealing in the elderly because it is minimally invasive. However, data in patients aged ≥80 years are scarce. ...The aim of this study was to assess the clinical outcome of POEM in octogenarians. Methods This was a multicenter retrospective study at 8 centers. Consecutive octogenarians with achalasia who underwent POEM between 2010 and 2016 were included. Rates of technical success (completion of myotomy), clinical response (Eckardt score ≤3), and adverse events (severity graded as per American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy lexicon) were assessed. Results A total of 76 patients (47.4% female, mean age 84 years) underwent POEM for treatment of achalasia: type I, 17.1%, type II, 35.5%, type III, 17.1%, and unspecified, 30.3%. Overall, 41.1% were treatment-naïve, whereas others had previous botulinum toxin injections and/or pneumatic dilation. The mean (± standard deviation SD) age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index was 6.2 ± 2.4, with the majority of patients having an American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System score of II/III. Technical success was 93.4%, with a median follow-up of 256 days. Fourteen adverse events occurred in 11 patients (14.5%) (3 inadvertent mucosotomies, 6 symptomatic capnoperitoneum/mediastinum, 2 esophageal leaks, 1 cardiac arrhythmia, and 2 other). The severities of these adverse events were 78.6% mild, 14.3% moderate, and 7.1% severe. Clinical success was achieved in 90.8% of patients, with a mean (± SD) Eckardt score reduction from 7.0 ± 2.3 to 0.8 ± 0.1 ( P < .001) (median follow-up 256 days interquartile range 66-547). Conclusions Although the rate of technical success may be somewhat lower and the rate of adverse events slightly higher than previously reported, our data suggest that POEM in octogenarians is safe and effective, supporting its role as a primary modality for achalasia in this patient population.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Background and Aims Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has shown promising safety and efficacy in short-term studies. However, long-term follow-up data are very limited. The aims of this study were ...to assess (1) clinical outcome of patients with a minimum post-POEM follow-up of 2 years and (2) factors associated with long-term clinical failure after POEM. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed that included all consecutive patients with achalasia who underwent POEM with a minimum follow-up of 2 years at 10 tertiary-care centers. Clinical response was defined by a decrease in Eckardt score to 3 or lower. Results A total of 205 patients (45.8% men; mean age, 49 years) were followed for a median of 31 months (interquartile range, 26-38 months). Of these, 81 patients (39.5%) had received previous treatment for achalasia before POEM. Clinical success was achieved in 98% (185/189), 98% (142/144), and 91% (187/205) of patients with follow-up within 6 months, at 12 months, and ≥24 months, respectively. Of 185 patients with clinical response at 6 months, 11 (6%) experienced recurrent symptoms at 2 years. History of previous pneumatic dilation was associated with long-term treatment failure (odds ratio, 3.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-9.23). Procedure-related adverse events occurred in 8.2% of patients and only 1 patient required surgical intervention. Abnormal esophageal acid exposure and reflux esophagitis were documented in 37.5% and 18% of patients, respectively. However, these rates are simply a reference number among a very selective group of patients. Conclusions POEM is safe and provides high initial clinical success and excellent long-term outcomes. Among patients with confirmed clinical response within 6 months, 6% had recurrent symptoms by 2 years.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Abstract The link between obesity and GERD is clear on all measures of the disease: clinical symptoms, erosive oesophagitis, acid esophageal exposure, and complications. The pathogenesis of this link ...may be due to general factors such as visceral adiposity, oestrogen levels, or decrease of Helicobacter pylori infection with increased gastric acid secretion. Increased abdominal pressure leads to disruption of the esophago-gastric junction and hiatal hernia, and esophageal motility may be modified by obesity. Weight loss does improve GERD, but lifestyle modifications and diet are usually insufficient in the long-term for morbid obesity. GERD and hiatal hernia are key issues in bariatric surgery, and are widely discussed because of important implications. It is not currently certain which procedure should be favoured in case of GERD; yet gastric bypass offers the best guarantee of success. Hiatal hernia repair is also deemed necessary by some authors at the same time of the bariatric surgery. Minimally invasive techniques pose a new challenge to this issue, both technically and theoretically.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
To prospectively evaluate a management approach to bacteriuria including advice from an infectious diseases consultant (IDC) in geriatric inpatients.
Prospective study from July 1, 2003, to June 30, ...2004.
A 205-bed geriatric university-affiliated hospital.
Consecutive hospitalized patients with positive urine cultures.
The hospital's infection control department developed recommendations about antimicrobial use for bacteriuria, which were discussed at staff meetings. Treatments for bacteriuria prescribed by ward physicians were reviewed by an IDC, who suggested changes where appropriate. Physicians were free to follow or to disregard the IDC's suggestions.
Patients with positive urine cultures (UC) were classified as having asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB), urinary tract infection (UTI) or pyelonephritis (PN). Prescribed and actual treatments were compared.
Of 252 consecutive positive UCs in 181 patients, 124 (49%) were classified as AB, 88 (35%) as UTI, and 38 (15%) as PN; 2 cases of prostatitis were excluded. The total number of prescribed antimicrobial days before IDC advice was 729 and the actual number (after IDC advice) was 577, for a 152-day (21%) reduction. Most of the reduction was generated by shortening the treatment duration.
Intervention of an IDC resulted in reduced antimicrobial use in older inpatients with bacteriuria.
