Introduction: Normal response to multiple rapid swallows (MRS) during high-resolution esophageal manometry is deglutitive inhibition; opioids may interfere with this. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response to MRS in patients on opioids, not on opioids, and healthy controls.
Methods: Response to MRS was evaluated for complete vs impaired inhibition in 72 chronic opioid users, 100 patients not on opioids, and 24 healthy controls.
Results: Impaired deglutitive inhibition was significantly more frequent in chronic opioid users compared with patients not on opioids and healthy controls (54% vs 14% vs 0%; P < 0.0001).
Discussion: Impaired deglutitive inhibition during MRS is frequent in opioid users, supporting that opioids interfere with esophageal inhibitory signals.