Clinical Functional Lumen Imaging Probe Testing in Esophageal Disorders: A Need for Better Quality Evidence

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Medical Technology Assessment

Background:

• Functional Lumen Imaging Probe (FLIP) is a technology for evaluating esophageal disorders.
• Expert consensus is needed to guide FLIP's clinical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the clinical utility of FLIP for esophageal disorders based on expert evaluation.
• To determine the strength of evidence and recommendations for FLIP use.

Main Methods:

• A Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) analysis was performed.
• Expert opinions on FLIP's role in clinical esophagology were gathered.

Main Results:

• Conditional recommendations for FLIP use were made for most indications.
• The quality of evidence supporting FLIP's use was consistently very low.
• FLIP's effectiveness and cost-effectiveness compared to manometry are uncertain.

Conclusions:

• FLIP is an expensive, invasive tool with limited scope.
• Further rigorous studies are required to establish FLIP's clinical value and economic viability.
• Its role alongside or replacing current diagnostic methods remains unclear.