title: Clinical remission in endoscope-guided pneumatic dilation for the treatment of esophageal achalasia: 7-year follow-up results of a prospective investigation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Prospective, long-term reports and predictors of outcome of endoscope-guided pneumatic dilation are lacking in the literature. The aim of this prospective 7-year follow-up study is to report the efficacy of endoscope-guided pneumatic dilation and determine the possible confounding factors related to remission.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 1998 and June 2004, 32 patients were enrolled. Each patient was treated with endoscope-guided pneumatic dilation and followed-up at regular intervals for a median of 4.5 years. Remission was determined with the use of a structured interview and a previously described symptom score. Cumulative remission rate was analyzed by using the Kaplan-Meier method with assessment of symptom scores between grades before and after PD at 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and then every year after. Possible confounding factors related to the remissions were analyzed by Cox's proportional hazard model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete follow-up until August 2007 was obtained in 100% of all patients. Cumulative remissions were 1 year (86.7%), 2 years (86.7%), 3 years (80.0%), 4 years (76.5%), 5 years (72.9%), 6 years (61.7%), and 7 years (61.7%), respectively. Age is a relevant confounding factor to the remissions showing a worse outcome for those under 45 (p = 0.046). One esophageal perforation occurred (3.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscope-guided PD itself is safe and modestly effective for up to 7 years investigations in current study. Older patients (>45 years) have favorable overall clinical remissions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hepato-gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, 123, Ta-Pei Road, Niao-sung Hsiang, Kaohsiung County, 833, Taiwan, Republic of China. chuahsk@seed.net.tw
authors.forename: Seng-Kee
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Chuah
authors.forename: Tsung-Hui
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Keng-Liang
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ping-I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Wei-Chen
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Tai
authors.forename: Yi-Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Chuan-Mo
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chi-Sin
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Changchien
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002404:Catheterization; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004724:Endoscopy; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult