Long-Term Morbidity and Mortality in Patients with Achalasia

Data on the incidence of achalasia and its associated long-term outcomes are scarce. In the current analysis of two large U.K. healthcare databases, researchers calculated an incidence of achalasia (during the decade between 2006 and 2016) of 1.5 cases per 100,000 person-years in a primary care population and 2.0 in a secondary care population. The prevalence was 27 per 100,000. In a retrospective analysis comprising approximately 2400 patients with achalasia and 3900 matched control patients, achalasia was associated with elevated risks for esophageal cancer, aspiration pneumonia, and lower respiratory tract infections. The esophageal cancer risk was increased fivefold and average time to presentation was 15 years after achalasia diagnosis…