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Opioids and Esophageal Function

Is the Opioid-induced Pharyngeal and Esophageal Dysfunction Peripherally or Central Mediated?

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01012960
Enrollment
13
Registered
2009-11-13
Start date
2009-11-30
Completion date
2010-01-31
Last updated
2011-12-09

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Pharyngeal Dysfunction, Esophageal Dysfunction

Keywords

methylnaltrexone, upper esophageal sphincter, lower esophageal sphincter, high resolution solid state manometry, opioid induced pharyngeal and esophageal dysfunction

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if opioid-induced effects on the pharynx and esophagus is centrally or peripherally mediated.

Detailed description

Opioids induce pharyngeal and esophageal dysfunction and reduce the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, and thereby decreases the barrier pressure between the stomach and esophagus. This contributes to an increased risk of regurgitation and aspiration during anaesthesia induction and in the postoperative period, when the patient is treated with opioids for pain relief. The effects of opioid antagonists on the opioid induced pharyngeal dysfunction and lower esophageal sphincter pressure are unknown. Therefore it is of great clinical value to evaluate if these negative effects are reversed by peripheral opioid antagonist, methylnaltrexone. Methylnaltrexone is one of the newer agents of peripherally acting opioid antagonists that act to reverse some of the side effects of opioid drugs, such as constipation, without affecting analgesia. If the opioid induced pharyngeal and esophageal dysfunction and reduction of the lower esophageal sphincter pressure is peripherally induced or mediated via peripheral opioid receptors, methylnaltrexone might reverse these effects and thereby reduce postoperative morbidity by reducing pulmonary complications. On the other hand, if the dysfunction is centrally induced and not mediated via peripheral opioid receptors there is no effect of methylnaltrexone. The pharyngeal and esophageal motility/function can be registered in an easy and objective way with the high resolution manometry, ManoScan 360. ManoScan 360 is an equipment with 36 sensors at 1 cm spacing with 12 tip transducers at every sensor. The 36 closely spaced sensors automatically capture all relevant motor function from the pharynx to the stomach. The system collects reliable and consistent data records with improved diagnostic accuracy, and the data are analyzed using ManoView analyzes software. ManoScan 360 has a CE mark approval and has been used at Örebro University Hospital during the last two years.

Interventions

0,15 mg/kg sc ( subcutaneously)once per volunteer

Sponsors

Wyeth is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Region Örebro County
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* 18 -40 year old healthy volunteers from both sexes. * have signed and dated Informed Consent. * willing and able to comply with the protocol for the duration of the trial.

Exclusion criteria

* anamnesis of pharyngoesophageal dysfunction. * known or history of cardiac, pulmonary or neurological disease. * ongoing medication. * allergies to or history of reaction to methylnaltrexone, remifentanil or fentanyl analogues. * pregnancy or breast feeding. * participation in another clinical medicinal trial during the last 30 days or where follow-up is not completed.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Does methylnaltrexone influence the upper and lower esophageal sphincter pressure and the swallowing function following opioid administration?6 hours per volunteer

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Does methylnaltrexone influence the experience of swallowing function following opioid administration?6 hours per volunteer

Countries

Sweden

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026