Treatment of Esophageal (Non-cardiac) Chest Pain: Review.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013 Aug 28;
Authors: Coss-Adame E, Erdogan A, Rao SS
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Chest pain is a common and frightening symptom. Once cardiac disease has been excluded, an esophageal source is most likely. Pathophysiologically, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophageal dysmotility, esophageal hypersensitivity and anxiety disorders have been implicated. Treatment however remains a challenge. Here, we examined the efficacy and safety of various commonly used modalities for treatment of esophageal (non-cardiac) chest pain (ECP) and provided evidence-based recommendations.
METHODS: We reviewed the English literature for drug trials evaluating treatment of ECP in PUBMED, COCHRANE and MEDLINE databases from 1968 to 2012. Standard forms were used to abstract data regarding study design, duration, outcome measures and adverse events and study quality.
RESULTS: Thirty five studies comprising of various treatments were included and grouped under five broad catagories. Patient inclusion criteria were extremely variable and studies were generally small with methodological concerns. There was good evidence to support the use of omeprazole, and fair evidence for lansoprazole, rabeprazole, theophylline, sertraline, trazodone, venlafaxine, imipramine and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). There was poor evidence for nifedipine, diltiazem, paroxetine, biofeedback therapy, ranitidine, nitrates, botulinum toxin, esophageal myotomy and hypnotherapy.
CONCLUSIONS: Ideally, treatment of ECP should be aimed at correcting the underlying mechanism(s) and relieving symptoms. PPIs, antidepressants, theophylline and CBT appear to be useful for the treatment of ECP. However, there is urgent and unmet need for effective treatments and for rigorous, randomized controlled trials.
PMID: 23994670 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]