Abstract
The present study is an attempt to capture the quality of life of achalasia patients after a successful treatment. It is also an effort to assess the extent of the subsequent restrictions achalasia may have imposed upon the patients' life-style. All achalasia patients who were successfully treated between 1984 and 1992 were identified. Qualified patients were supplied with a 12-item quality-of-life questionnaire that had been designed to assess the patients' perceptions of their swallowing function and their general health; the restrictions achalasia had imposed on five areas of performance, which encompassed social activities, family relationships, travel experiences, sports and housework activities, were also assessed. Sixty-six patients were offered the questionnaire and 52 (77.6%) returned a completed form. Forty-one of the group had pneumatic dilatation and the remaining 11 had cardiomyotomy. Some form of dysphagia was reported by 36 patients (69%) and a dietary modification was exercised by 29 (56%) of them. Heartburn was reported by 31 (59%) of the patients. Fifteen percent of the patients felt that the disease interfered with their social activities, 8% experienced difficulty in their family relations, 13% believed that the disease restricted travel and athletics, and finally, 9% stated that their symptoms placed restrictions on their ability to do housework. The group that received pneumatic dilatation experienced less restriction in the performance areas of sports, travel, and housework. However, this difference was only significant in the area of sports (P=0.04). It is concluded that: (1) The restoration of the normal swallowing mechanism is not often achieved after treatment for achalasia. The majority of patients who have been treated continue to have a component of difficulty for the rest of their lives. (2) These residual symptoms leave an impact on the patients' life-style. This impact is least important in the performance area of family relationship and most impressive in the area of sports. (3) Finally, those patients who have been treated with cardiomyotomy are more restricted in sport activities than those who received pneumatic dilatation.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Earlam RJ, Ellis FH Jr, Nobrega FT: Achalasia of the esophagus in a small urban community. Mayo Clin Proc 44:478–483, 1969
Mayberry JF, Atkinson M: Studies of incidence and prevalence of achalasia in the Nottington area. Q J Med 56:451–456, 1985
Meshkinpour H, Kaye L, Elias A, Glick ME: Manometric and radiologic correlations in achalasia. Am J Gastroenterol 87:1567–1570, 1992
Kahrilas PJ, Kishk SM, Helm JF, Dodds WJ, Harig JM, Hogan WJ: Comparison of pseudoachalasia and achalasia. Am J Med 82:439–446, 1987
Sons HU, Borchard F, Muller-Jank L: Megaesophagus: Induction by a simple animal experiment. Report on the method. Exp Pathol 30(4):193–201, 1986
Kim CH, Cameron AJ, Hsu JJ, Tally NJ, Trastek VF, Pairolero PC, O'Conner MK, Colwell LJ, Zinsmeister AR: Achalasia: Prospective evaluation of relationship between lower esophageal sphincter pressure, esophageal transit, and esophageal diameter and symptoms in response to pneumatic dilatation. Mayo Clin Proc 68:1067–1073, 1993
Vantrappen G, Janssens J: To dilate or to operate? That is the question. Gut 24:1013–1019, 1983
Barnett JL, Eisenman R, Nostrant TT, Elta GH: Witzel pneumatic dilatation for achalasia: safety and long term efficacy. Gastrointest Endosc 36:482–485, 1990
Csendes A, Braghetto I, Henriquez A, Cortes C: Late results of a prospective randomized study comparing forceful dilatation and esophagomyotomy in patients with achalasia. Gut 30:299–304, 1989
Kaqdakia SC, Wong RKH: Graded pneumatic dilatation using Rigiflex achalasia dilators in patients with primary esophageal achalasia. Am J Gastroenterol 88:34–38, 1993
Gelfand MD, Kozarek RA: An experience with polyethylene balloons for pneumatic dilatation in achalasia. Am J Gastroenterol 84:924–927, 1989
Vantrappen G, Hellemans J: Treatment of achalasia and related motor disorders. Gastroenterol 79:144–154, 1980
Fellows IW, Ogilvie AL, Atkinson M: Pneumatic dilatation in achalasia. Gut 24:1020–1023, 1983
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Meshkinpour, H., Haghighat, P. & Meshkinpour, A. Quality of life among patients treated for achalasia. Digest Dis Sci 41, 352–356 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02093828
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02093828