Esophageal Dysfunction Associated With Opioids: Clinical Response and Manometric Findings After Opioid Discontinuation
Status:
COMPLETED
Trial end date:
2024-08-31
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Background: Opioid-induced esophageal dysfunction is characterized by altered motility of the esophageal body or impaired function of the esophageal sphincters secondary to chronic opioid use. The diagnosis of this condition is made through high-resolution manometry. Following the discontinuation of opioid treatment, most patients experience a clear symptomatic improvement.
Hypothesis: Opioids induce alterations in esophageal motility and esophageal sphincter function that revert after discontinuation of treatment.
Outcome: To demonstrate through high-resolution esophageal manometry that the manometric alterations described in patients with chronic opioid use are secondary to opioid consumption and disappear after discontinuing use.
Methods: In a group of patients with chronic opioid use and diagnosed with a major esophageal motor disorder through high-resolution esophageal manometry, a new high-resolution manometry will be performed after discontinuing opioid treatment for at least 7 days to assess any changes compared to the previous manometry.
The treating physician will be contacted to inform them about the manometry findings and to consider the possibility of discontinuing opioid treatment. Patients will be informed about the association between opioids and esophageal motor disorders and the benefits of discontinuing the medication to evaluate the resolution of symptoms and the observed disorder.
To avoid complications such as withdrawal syndrome or exacerbation of pain due to the reduction of analgesic medication, an alternative medication protocol will be used according to the recommendations of the psychiatry team associated with functional digestive disorders.
Relevance: This project will determine whether the manometric alterations are primary or secondary to opioid treatment. If it is confirmed that they are secondary to the treatment, opioid treatment can be replaced with another analgesic treatment, and esophageal symptoms will improve without the need for more aggressive therapies.