Predictors of recurrent esophageal food impaction: a case-control study

Esophageal food impaction (FI) is a distressing condition requiring urgent endoscopic intervention, with a reported recurrence rate between 10% and 20%. Knowledge of factors predisposing to recurrent FI may enable preventive measures to minimize the risk of recurrence.

To identify risk factors associated with recurrent FI.

Retrospective case-control study.

Tertiary referral center.

A prospectively maintained database and medical records of all patients undergoing emergent endoscopy for FI from 1989 to 2000 were reviewed. Cases were defined as those presenting with more than 1 episode of FI, whereas controls were defined as those without recurrence within 5 years of the index episode. Several demographic, clinical, endoscopic, and follow-up variables were extracted. Statistical analysis included chi2 tests and t tests for univariate analysis, and stepwise logistic regression for multivariate analysis.

NA.

Predictors of recurrent FI.

A total of 52 cases and 124 controls were identified (recurrence rate 30%). Presence of a diaphragmatic hernia [odds ratio (OR) 2.65; confidence interval (CI) 1.19-5.89], disimpaction by piecemeal extraction (OR 2.32; CI 1.09-4.97), and acquisition of esophageal biopsies (OR 3.69; CI 1.42-9.66) increased odds for recurrent FI. Physician follow-up after FI decreased the odds for recurrent FI (OR 0.38; CI 0.18-0.80).

Retrospective study.

The presence of a diaphragmatic hernia, complexity of endoscopic disimpaction technique, and lack of follow-up increased risk for recurrent FI. Collection of esophageal biopsies as a risk factor suggests a visibly more severe esophageal disorder as a potential cause for recurrent FI.