In this new era of high resolution manometry, there is an increasing incidence of achalasia.
Briefly noted:
JA Duffield et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 15: 360-5. In this study from South Australia, using a large database (2004-2013), the annual incidence of achalasia was between 2.3 and 2.8 per 100,000 persons. Mean age at diagnosis was 62 years.
S Samo et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 15: 366-73. In a similar study from Chicago, the authors estimated that the yearly city-wide incidence averaged 1.07 per 100,000; however the average in the neighborhood closest to the hospital (and possibly with better case capture) was 2.92 per 100,000.
My take: These studies identified incidence rates that are about double the rates that were reported prior to the availability of high resolution manometry.
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