Quality of Life Following Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy for Esophageal Achalasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a novel minimally invasive intervention for treating esophageal achalasia. Previous publications have proved its excellent efficacy and safety, and even shown it could improve patients' quality of life (QoL). So, we conducted this study to explore the changes of QoL following POEM. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library covering the period from January 2009 to April 2019. The statistical analysis was carried out using Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: A total of 12 studies including 549 patients were identified, which assessed the QoL using validated questionnaires administered. After POEM, the SF-36 questionnaire score of each domain (physical function, role physical function, body pain, general health (GH), social function, vitality, emotional role function, mental health) was significantly increased (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, mental component scale (MCS) and physical component scale (PCS) scores were all improved in patients after POEM procedure (MCS: 12.11, 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.67-19.55, p = 0.001, I(2) = 88%, PCS: 17.01, 95% CI, 2.91-31.11, p = 0.02, I(2) = 97%). The gastroesophageal reflux disease health-related quality of life questionnaires (GERD-HRQL) also decreased significantly after POEM (13.01, 95% CI, 9.98-16.03, p < 0.00001, I(2) = 30%). CONCLUSIONS: Our current evidence suggests there is significant improvement in QoL after POEM procedure.