Am J Gastroenterol

Opioid cessation may reverse esophageal dysfunction in chronic users

August 5, 2025

Study details: This prospective, multicenter before-and-after study enrolled 37 chronic opioid users referred for esophageal motility testing due to nonobstructive dysphagia. Of these, 27 (73%) met criteria for suspected opioid-induced esophageal dysfunction (OIED). Nineteen patients discontinued opioids for at least 7 days and underwent repeat assessment.

Results: Among those who stopped opioids, esophageal motor disorders resolved in 10 of 19 patients (52.6%). Clinical improvement, defined as an Eckardt score ≤3, was observed in 64.3% of these patients.

Clinical impact: Opioid cessation leads to both symptomatic and objective motility improvement in approximately half of patients with suspected OIED. Given the high prevalence of esophageal dysfunction among chronic opioid users with dysphagia, consider opioid withdrawal as a first-line intervention in this population, when feasible, before pursuing invasive therapies.

Source:

Ezquerra-Durán A, et al. (2025, January 10). Am J Gastroenterol. Prospective Evaluation of Opioid Cessation in Patients With Suspected Opioid-Induced Esophageal Dysfunction. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39791564/