Gastric Peroral Endoscopic Pyloromyotomy Reduces Symptoms, Increases Quality of Life, and Reduces Health Care Use For Patients With Gastroparesis

Background & Aims: Gastric peroral endoscopic pyloromyotomy (GPOEM) is becoming a promising treatment option for patients with refractory gastroparesis. We aimed to systematically assess the efficacy of GPOEM and its effects on health care use. Methods: We performed a retrospective study on 30 patients with refractory gastroparesis who underwent GPOEM from June 2015 through July 2017 at a tertiary center. We compared outcomes with those of 7 patients with refractory gastroparesis who did not undergo the procedure (controls). The primary outcomes were patient-reported reductions in symptoms, based on the gastroparesis cardinal symptom index (GCSI), and increases in 8 aspects of quality of life, based on Short Form 36 (SF-36) scores. Data were collected on the day of the procedure (baseline) and at 1 month, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months afterward. Secondary outcomes included visits to the emergency department or hospitalization for gastroparesis-related symptoms. Results: GPOEM was technically successful in all patients and significantly reduced GCSI scores in repeated-measure analysis of variance (F_{2.044, 38.838} = 22.319; P < .0005). The mean score at baseline was 3.5 ± 0.6, at 1 month after GPOEM was 1.8 ± 1.0 (P < .0005), at 6 months after was 1.9 ± 1.2 (P < .0005), at 12 months after was 2.6 ± 1.5 (P < .026), and at 18 months after was 2.1 ± 1.3 (P < .016). GPOEM was associated with improved quality of life: 77.8%, 76.5%, and 70% of patients had significant increases in SF-36 scores, compared with baseline, at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after GPOEM, respectively (F_1.71,18.83 = 14.16; P < .0005). Compared with controls, patients who underwent GPOEM had significant reductions in GCSI, after we controlled for baseline score and duration of the disease (F_1,31 = 9.001; P = .005). Patients who received GPOEM had significant reductions in number of emergency department visits (from 2.2 ± 3.1 times/mo at baseline to 0.3 ± 0.8 times/mo; P = .003) and hospitalizations (from 1.7 ± 2 times/mo at baseline to 0.2 ± 0.4 times/mo; P = .0002). Conclusions: In a retrospective study of patients who underwent GPOEM for refractory gastroparesis, we found the procedure significantly improved symptoms, increased quality of life, and reduced health care use related to gastroparesis.