Editorial
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co.
World J Gastroenterol. Sep 28, 2006; 12(36): 5763-5766
Published online Sep 28, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i36.5763
Table 1 Acute drug studies in esophageal achalasia
AuthorDrugn% of LES decrease
Wright (1961)Butylschopolamine3Decreased
Von Weiser (1977)Nifedipine630
Becker (1981)Verapamil3Unchanged
Cargill (1982)Nifedipine6Decreased
Hongo (1982)Nifedipine845
Di Marino (1982)Carbutoerol1055
Nashrallah (1983)Nifedipine755
Becker (1983)Verapamil731
Traube (1984)Nifedipine2030
Wong (1987)Terbutaline Aminophyllin15Decreased
Bassotti (1988)Nitroglycerin970
Guelrud (1992)VIP651
Marzio (1994)Cimetropium20Decreased
Penagini (1994)Loperamide9Decreased
Bortolotti (1994)Isosorbide Nifedipine9 749 65
Bortolotti (2000)Sildenafil750
Table 2 Chronic drug studies in esophageal achalasia
AuthorDrugn% efficacyFollow-up (mo)
Yon (1975)Anticholinergics71412
Gelfond (1981)Isosorbide24792-19
Silverstein (1982)Diltiazem8506
Gelfond (1982)Nifedipine15538-14
Traube (1983)Nifedipine1465-806
Maksimak (1986)Nifedipine4LES decrease3-6
Garia (1987)Nifedipine20LES decrease4
Coccia (1992)Nifedipine147721
Table 3 Controlled drug studies in esophageal achalasia (NA = not available)
AuthorDrugn% efficacyLES decreaseFollow-up (mo)
Lobis (1976)Dicyclomine10NA42%Acute
Bortolotti (1981)Nifedipine209040%6-18
Nashrallah (1985)Nifedipine475Unchanged1
Traube (1989)Nifedipine10NA28%1
Triadafilopoulos (1991)Nifedipine Verapamil14 14NA NADecreased Decreased1 1
Table 4 Effect of BoTx on esophageal achalasia (only studies with at least 30 patients are reported)
AuthorsToxin unitsn% LES decreaseResponse 1 mo (%)Response 6 mo (%)Response 12 mo (%)
Pasricha, 19968031459055-
Fishman, 199610060-88-46
Cuilliere, 19978056317560-
Annese, 19981005755885535
Prakash, 19998042-906441
Kolbasnik, 19991003028773729
Annese, 1999100-25078428661-
Annese, 2000Variable118348253-
D’Onofrio, 200210037-84-67
Storr, 200210040--68-
Martinek, 2003100-250496593-41
Zaninotto, 200410040--6634