Achalasia

Description

• Primary esophageal dysmotility
• Absence of esophageal peristalsis and impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)

Epidemiology

Incidence

• 1 to 2/100,000 population/year (1)
• Age of peak incidence: 30 to 60 years

Prevalence

• 10/100,000 population (2)
• Male = female
• No racial or ethnic preference

Etiology and Pathophysiology

• Impaired inhibitory innervation of esophageal smooth muscle and the LES (3)
  • Inflammatory process leading to the degeneration of ganglion cells in the myenteric plexus, resulting in the loss of inhibitory neurotransmitters: nitric oxide (NO) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)
• Etiologies (3)
  • Primarily idiopathic
  • May have an autoimmune, viral, or neurodegenerative component
  • May be associated with certain genetic syndromes (Down and Allgrove syndrome) (3)

Risk Factors

No identifiable risk factors

General Prevention

No identifiable preventive measures