Biological Optimization Versus Standard Care in Post-POEM Achalasia Patients (BIO-POEM) (BIO-POEM 1)

May 27, 2026 updated by: Mohan Ramchandani, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, India

Randomized Controlled Trial of Structured Biological Optimization Versus Standard Care With Embedded Prospective Registry in Post-POEM Achalasia Cardia Patients.

This study aims to evaluate whether a structured biological optimization program can improve reflux symptoms and overall recovery in patients with achalasia cardia who previously underwent Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM). Although POEM is highly effective for relieving swallowing difficulty, many patients develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after the procedure and remain dependent on long-term acid suppressive medications such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

The BIO-POEM study will compare structured biological optimization with standard post-POEM care in patients with objectively confirmed pathological reflux after POEM. The intervention includes reflux-oriented dietary counseling, micronutrient assessment and correction, Helicobacter pylori testing and eradication when indicated, lifestyle optimization, and structured review and tapering of PPI/PCAB therapy.

The study includes two components:

A randomized controlled trial enrolling post-POEM patients with objectively confirmed reflux.

A parallel prospective observational registry enrolling symptomatic post-POEM patients who are unable to undergo reflux testing or who remain symptomatic despite low acid exposure.

The primary objective is to determine whether structured biological optimization reduces GERD symptom burden at 12 months compared with standard care. Secondary objectives include evaluation of dyspepsia symptoms, nutritional recovery, quality of life, reduction in PPI dependence, and exploratory assessment of gut microbiome changes.

Study Overview

Status

Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study aims to evaluate whether a structured biological optimization program can improve reflux symptoms and overall recovery in patients with achalasia cardia who previously underwent Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM). Although POEM is highly effective for relieving swallowing difficulty, many patients develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after the procedure and remain dependent on long-term acid suppressive medications such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

The BIO-POEM study will compare structured biological optimization with standard post-POEM care in patients with objectively confirmed pathological reflux after POEM. The intervention includes reflux-oriented dietary counseling, micronutrient assessment and correction, Helicobacter pylori testing and eradication when indicated, lifestyle optimization, and structured review and tapering of PPI/PCAB therapy.

The study includes two components:

A randomized controlled trial enrolling post-POEM patients with objectively confirmed reflux.

A parallel prospective observational registry enrolling symptomatic post-POEM patients who are unable to undergo reflux testing or who remain symptomatic despite low acid exposure.

The primary objective is to determine whether structured biological optimization reduces GERD symptom burden at 12 months compared with standard care. Secondary objectives include evaluation of dyspepsia symptoms, nutritional recovery, quality of life, reduction in PPI dependence, and exploratory assessment of gut microbiome changes.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

166

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • India
    • Telangana
      • Hyderabad, Telangana, India, 500032
        • Asian Institute of Gastroenterology

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria for RCT

  • Above criteria plus AET> 6% on pH impedance monitoring.
  • Adults aged 18-70 years.
  • Patients who stopped PPI/PCABs atleast 4 weeks prior to enrolment (to avoid false negative h.pylori test)
  • Prior POEM performed between 6 months and 5 years before enrolment at AIG hospitals.
  • Willingness to comply with lifestyle and nutritional interventions.
  • Ability to provide written informed consent.

Inclusion Criteria for Observational Registry

  • Adults aged 18-70 years.
  • Prior POEM performed between 6 months and 5 years before enrolment, at AIG hospitals.
  • Clinically significant GERD symptoms after POEM. GERD-HRQL score ≥10, or
  • reflux symptoms occurring ≥3 times per week, or
  • current use of PPI/PCAB therapy for reflux symptom control
  • reflux esophagitis on endoscopy.
  • Unable to undergo ambulatory reflux monitoring due to logistical reasons, .
  • Ability to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria:

  • Prior oesophageal surgery other than POEM.
  • Severe comorbidities limiting life expectancy (<2 years).
  • Pregnancy or lactation.
  • Active gastrointestinal malignancy.
  • Contraindication to PPI therapy.
  • Inability to provide informed consent or comply with follow-up.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Structured Biological Optimization
Participants in this arm will receive a structured, protocol-driven biological optimization program in addition to standard post-POEM follow-up. The intervention includes reflux-oriented dietary counseling, lifestyle modification, micronutrient assessment and correction (including vitamin D, B12, iron, calcium, and pre-albumin where deficient), Helicobacter pylori testing and eradication where indicated, and a structured, stepwise de-escalation of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB) therapy based on clinical response and physician assessment.
Dietary supplement: Structured Biological Optimization
A structured, protocol-driven multimodal intervention designed to optimize post-POEM recovery in patients with achalasia cardia. The intervention includes individualized reflux-oriented dietary counseling (meal timing, portion control, and trigger food modification), lifestyle optimization (sleep hygiene, weight management, and physical activity guidance), systematic evaluation and correction of micronutrient deficiencies (including vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron, calcium, magnesium, and pre-albumin where indicated), Helicobacter pylori testing with eradication therapy when positive, and a structured, stepwise protocol for proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB) de-escalation guided by symptoms and clinical assessment. The intervention is delivered as a standardized care pathway integrated into routine post-POEM follow-up.
Other Names:
  • BIO-POEM Intervention
  • Post-POEM Biological Optimization Protocol
  • Structured Post-POEM Optimization Program BIO-POEM Care Pathway
Active Comparator: Standard Post-POEM Care
Participants in this arm will receive routine post-POEM care as practiced at the study center. Management will be symptom-driven and may include proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or PCAB therapy as clinically indicated. No structured dietary, micronutrient, or deprescribing protocol will be applied beyond standard clinical practice. Follow-up assessments and outcome evaluations will be performed in the same manner as the intervention arm.
Dietary supplement: Structured Biological Optimization
A structured, protocol-driven multimodal intervention designed to optimize post-POEM recovery in patients with achalasia cardia. The intervention includes individualized reflux-oriented dietary counseling (meal timing, portion control, and trigger food modification), lifestyle optimization (sleep hygiene, weight management, and physical activity guidance), systematic evaluation and correction of micronutrient deficiencies (including vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron, calcium, magnesium, and pre-albumin where indicated), Helicobacter pylori testing with eradication therapy when positive, and a structured, stepwise protocol for proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB) de-escalation guided by symptoms and clinical assessment. The intervention is delivered as a standardized care pathway integrated into routine post-POEM follow-up.
Other Names:
  • BIO-POEM Intervention
  • Post-POEM Biological Optimization Protocol
  • Structured Post-POEM Optimization Program BIO-POEM Care Pathway

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease-Health Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL) Score From Baseline to 12 Months
Time Frame: Baseline and 12 months

The primary outcome is the change in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease-Health Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL) score from baseline to 12 months after randomization in post-POEM patients with objectively confirmed pathological reflux.

The GERD-HRQL questionnaire is a validated reflux-specific symptom assessment scale with total scores ranging from 0 to 50, where higher scores indicate worse reflux symptoms and poorer reflux-related quality of life.
Baseline and 12 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Proportion of Participants Successfully Discontinuing Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) or Potassium-Competitive Acid Blocker (PCAB) Therapy by 12 Months
Time Frame: 6 months and 12 months
Proportion of participants successfully discontinuing proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB) therapy by 12 months after initiation of study intervention.
6 months and 12 months
Change in Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire Score From Baseline to 6 and 12 Months
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months

Change in dyspepsia symptom severity assessed using the Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire.

Higher scores indicate worse dyspepsia symptoms.
Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Change in Serum Vitamin D Levels From Baseline to 6 Months
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Change in serum vitamin D levels measured in ng/mL.
Baseline and 6 months
Change in Serum Calcium Levels
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Change in serum calcium levels measured in mg/dL.
Baseline and 6 months
Change in Serum Iron Levels
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Change in serum iron levels measured in µg/dL.
Baseline and 6 months
Change in Serum Vitamin B12 Levels
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Change in serum vitamin B12 levels measured in pg/mL.
Baseline and 6 months
Change in Serum Pre-albumin Levels
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Change in serum pre-albumin levels measured in mg/dL.
Baseline and 6 months
Change in SF-36 Quality of Life Scores From Baseline to 6 and 12 Months
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months

Change in health-related quality of life assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36).

SF-36 scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, India

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Mohan Kumar Ramchandani, MD,DM, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

May 20, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 20, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 20, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 19, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 27, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 2, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 2, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 27, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • BIO-POEM1

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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