Clinical trial Recruiting at 4 sites Interventional Ages 18 and up

Comparing routine and symptom-based PPI therapy after a procedure for esophageal achalasia

Official title: Routine Versus Symptomatic Protein Pump Inhibitor Therapy for Prevention of Gastroesophageal Reflux After Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy for Esophageal Achalasia. Randomized Open-label Clinical Trial

Run by Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nīmes · NCT05899842 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing whether giving patients with esophageal achalasia a routine 12-month prescription for heartburn medication after a specific procedure can help prevent throat inflammation better than only giving the medication when they have symptoms.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment132 (estimated)
SponsorCentre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nīmes
Academic / other
Locations4 sites (Marseille and 3 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJune 1, 2023
Main results expectedFebruary 2028
Study endsFebruary 2028
Registry record updatedFebruary 10, 2026
Trial IDNCT05899842 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are patients diagnosed with esophageal achalasia who are scheduled for POEM and have an Eckardt score greater than 3.

Probably not a fit

Patients with contraindications to PPIs or those who have undergone previous anti-reflux surgeries may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of routine prescription of protein pump inhibitors (PPIs) for 12 months following Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) in patients with esophageal achalasia. The researchers aim to determine if this approach can reduce the incidence of esophagitis related to gastroesophageal reflux compared to a strategy that prescribes PPIs only when symptoms arise. Patients eligible for the study must have a high Eckardt score indicating significant achalasia symptoms and must provide informed consent. The study is conducted at multiple locations in France, including Nīmes, Marseille, and Montpellier.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved management of gastroesophageal reflux in patients undergoing POEM for achalasia.

How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research on systematic PPI use post-POEM, the approach is novel and has not been extensively tested in this specific context.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient with an indication for esophageal POEM for achalasia
* Patient with all types of achalasia with Eckardt score \> 3
* The patient must have given their free and informed consent and signed the consent form
* The patient must be a member or beneficiary of a health insurance plan

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient with contraindications to PPIs
* Patient with mediastinal and esophageal neoplasia
* Patient with a history of Heller myotomy surgery
* Patients requiring any type of anti-reflux valve surgery
* The subject is in a period of exclusion determined by a previous study
* It is impossible to give the subject informed information
* The patient is under safeguard of justice or state guardianship
* Patient is pregnant, parturient or breastfeeding

Where it's running

  • Ap-Hm
    Marseille, France
    Recruiting
  • CHU de Montpellier
    Montpellier, France
    Recruiting
  • Clinique mutualiste Beausoleil
    Montpellier, France
    Recruiting
  • CHU de Nîmes
    Nîmes, France
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.