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Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil) effects on esophageal motility: a systematic review

Arman Shafiee, R. Bahri, Mohammad Mobin Teymouri Athar, Fatemeh Afsharrezaei, M. Gholami

BMC Gastroenterology, 2023

10 citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Esophageal motility disorders are a group of disorders associated with dysfunctional swallowing resulting from impaired neuromuscular coordination. Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors induce smooth relaxation and are proposed as a treatment option for esophageal motility disorders such as achalasia.

METHODS: This study is conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We systematically searched MEDLINE/ PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases for esophageal outcomes of individuals treated with PDE5 inhibitors. A random effect meta-analysis was conducted.

RESULTS: A total of 14 studies were included. They were conducted in different countries, with Korea and Italy having the highest number of articles. The main drug assessed was sildenafil. PDE-5 inhibitors resulted in a significant reduction in lower esophageal sphincter pressure (SMD - 1.69, 95% CI: -2.39 to -0.99) and the amplitude of contractions (SMD - 2.04, 95% CI: -2.97 to -1.11). Residual pressure was not significantly different between the placebo and sildenafil groups (SMD - 0.24, 95% CI: -1.20 to 0.72). Furthermore, a recent study reported contractile integral, stating that ingestion of sildenafil leads to a significant reduction in distal contractile integral and a significant increase in proximal contractile integral.

CONCLUSION: PDE-5 inhibitors significantly reduce LES resting pressure and esophageal peristaltic vigor, decreasing…

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