Efficacy of peroral endoscopic myotomy for improving sleep problems in patients with achalasia

Achalasia is an esophageal motility disorder of unknown etiology. However, no studies have determined the populations in which sleep problems occur and whether they are improved by peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). We investigated the rate of sleep problems assessed by GERD-Q (AGQ) in achalasia patients, evaluated whether POEM improves these issues, and identified factors associated with sleep improvement after POEM.

We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who were diagnosed with achalasia and who underwent POEM at a single institution between March 2016 and December 2020. We examined the Eckardt symptom score and the GERD-Q before and 3 months after POEM to assess the presence of sleep problems (AGQ) and other symptoms. The univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with sleep problem (AGQ) improvement after POEM.

A total of 177 patients were included. The average age was 52.6 ± 17.2 years. Preoperatively, dysphagia (172 [97.2%]), regurgitation (123 [69.5%]), sleep problems (AGQ; 110 [62.1%]), chest pain (102 [57.6%]), and weight loss (83 [46.9%]) were observed. Before POEM, 62.1% of patients experienced sleep problems (AGQ) compared with 9.6% after POEM (p < 0.0001). Postoperative dysphagia and regurgitation were significant factors determining whether patients continued to experience sleep problems (AGQ) after POEM.

Sleep problems (AGQ) were the third most common symptom in > 60% of patients with achalasia. Improving dysphagia and regurgitation using the POEM procedure improved sleep problems (AGQ).