Introduction: Ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) is identified in up to 30% of patients undergoing esophageal high resolution manometry (HRM) based on the Chicago Classification version 4.0. The clinical significance of this pattern is not established and management remains challenging due to a limited framework guiding gastroenterologists when IEM is identified.
Aim: To establish quality indicators for approaching IEM when identified on esophageal HRM.
Methods: Using RAND/University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Appropriateness Methods, we employed a modified-Delphi approach for quality indicator statement development. Quality indicators were proposed based on prior literature. Experts independently and blindly scored proposed quality statements on importance, scientific acceptability, usability, and feasibility in a three-round iterative process. Highly valid quality indicators reached scores with ≥80% agreement in the 7-9 range (on a 9-point Likert scale) across all four categories.
Results: There were 10 experts in the management of esophageal diseases invited to participate and all (100%) rated 12 proposed quality indicator statements. In round one, 7 (58.3%) quality indicators were rated with mixed agreement (< 80% agreement across all four categories). Statements were modified based on panel suggestion, modified further following round two’s virtual discussion, and in round three voting identified 2 highly valid quality indicators, 4 moderately valid, and 1 invalid. In total, 2 (16.7%) quality indicators reached high validity. The panel agreed on the concept of determining if IEM is clinically relevant to the patient’s presentation and managing GERD rather than the IEM pattern (Table 1). The panel disagreed in all four domains on the use of promotility agents (e.g., prucalopride, metoclopramide) in IEM, and had mixed agreement that IEM with contraction reserve on pre-operative HRM can be viewed similar to a manometric pattern without IEM specific to anti-reflux surgery, probably reflecting the lack of solid scientific evidence on this pattern.
Discussion: Using a robust methodology, two IEM quality indicators were identified. These quality indicators can track performance when physicians identify this manometric pattern on HRM with the goal of ultimately improving patient outcomes. This study further highlights the challenges met with IEM, and the need for additional research to better understand the clinical importance of this manometric pattern.
