Dysphagia in Adults Operated On for Esophageal Atresia – Use of a Symptom Score to Evaluate Correlated Factors

INTRODUCTION: Dysphagia is not unusual following repair of esophageal atresia (EA). The lack of a uniform definition has led to a variance when it comes to reporting the prevalence of dysphagia among patients operated on for EA. Our aim is to estimate the occurrence and degree of dysphagia, using a numerical score with its statistical versatility independent of a specific definition. The results are used to find early risk factors of dysphagia within this patient group. The results are also used to see whether we can find a correlation between dysphagia and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: 79 consecutive survivors operated on for EA in Gothenburg between 1968 and 1983 were located. Hospital charts were reviewed and patients received questionnaires on dysphagia, symptoms of GER and QoL. Dysphagia was measured by a numerical score, symptoms of GER were extracted using a predetermined questionnaire (GerdQ), and QoL was determined using the generic questionnaire SF-36. RESULTS: 73 patients (92.4%) returned the questionnaires. In order to make the study group as homogeneous as possible with regard to the malformation we choose to study the 63 patients representing the vast majority: those with Gross type C. 36 patients (57%) had symptoms of dysphagia to varying degrees. We did not find any aggravating factors in their hospital charts nor did we find any correlation to the most recent demographics. There was a significant difference in dysphagia scores when we compared Gross type C to the often more complex type A (p<0.05). We did not find any correlation to heartburn but a strong correlation to regurgitation with an OR of 2.8 (95% CI: 1.2-6.6). The QoL was good for this patient group, and we did not find any correlation between QoL and the dysphagia score. CONCLUSIONS: The dysphagia score provides easy-to-use results when it comes to evaluating the potential influence of dysphagia. Dysphagia is common within this patient group. Patients operated on for EA Gross type A seem to do worse when it comes to dysphagia. Regurgitation is associated with dysphagia, which could imply that GER is an aggravating factor. Further studies to support this finding will show whether there is a correlation between the dysphagia score and the results of 24-h pH-monitoring. If so, this could mean that treating GER might decrease dysphagia, at least in this patient group.