What Is Prague Classification?

By Anna Duncan

Have you ever heard of the Prague classification? It might sound like something related to geography, but it is actually a system used to diagnose and classify esophageal motility disorders. In this article, we will explore what the Prague classification is and how it works.

Firstly, let’s understand what esophageal motility disorders are. These disorders occur when there is a problem with the normal muscular contractions that help move food and liquid through the esophagus. This can result in symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, chest pain, and heartburn.

Now, let’s dive into the Prague classification. It was developed by a group of international experts in 2002 during a meeting held in Prague, Czech Republic. The classification uses a series of standardized criteria to describe the location, extent, and severity of esophageal motility disorders.

The Prague classification consists of two main parts: letter codes and number codes. The letter codes represent the location of the disorder within the esophagus while the number codes represent its extent and severity. Let’s take a closer look at each code.

Letter Codes:

– O: This code represents the upper esophageal sphincter (UES). – Z: This code represents the esophagogastric junction (EGJ).

– D: This code represents the distal esophagus. – P: This code represents the proximal esophagus. – M: This code represents the body of the esophagus.

Number Codes:

The number codes range from 0 to 4 and represent different levels of severity:

– 0: No impairment
– 1: Impairment up to one-third
– 2: Impairment between one-third to two-thirds
– 3: Impairment greater than two-thirds
– 4: Complete impairment

For example, if a patient has a disorder located in their distal esophagus with impairment up to one-third, their Prague classification would be “D1.”

The Prague classification system helps doctors diagnose and classify esophageal motility disorders more accurately. It also allows for better communication among medical professionals, as the standardized criteria ensure that everyone is on the same page.

In conclusion, the Prague classification is an important system used to diagnose and classify esophageal motility disorders. It consists of letter codes that represent the location of the disorder and number codes that represent its extent and severity. By using this system, doctors can provide better care for their patients and improve overall outcomes.