Achalasia

Descriptive text is not available for this image Basics

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

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