Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39915913›Full record

ArticleJournal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA2025

Epidemiology and practice patterns of achalasia in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based cohort study.

Kai-Liang Lin, Wei-Yu Lin, Yen-Po Wang, Jiing-Chyuan Luo, Ming-Chih Hou, Hui-Chu Lang, Ching-Liang Lu

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Article in Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Kai-Liang LinEndoscopy Center for Diagnosis and Treatment, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Wei-Yu LinInstitute of Hospital and Health Care Administration, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Yen-Po WangEndoscopy Center for Diagnosis and Treatment, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Jiing-Chyuan LuoEndoscopy Center for Diagnosis and Treatment, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Ming-Chih HouEndoscopy Center for Diagnosis and Treatment, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Hui-Chu LangInstitute of Hospital and Health Care Administration, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Ching-Liang LuEndoscopy Center for Diagnosis and Treatment, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAchalasia is a rare disease of gastrointestinal motility characterized by impaired esophageal peristalsis and reduced esophageal sphincter relaxation. However, data on its epidemiology and outcomes in Taiwan are limited. This study aimed to assess the incidence, characteristics, and clinical management of achalasia in Taiwan.

methodsPatients who were newly diagnosed with achalasia between 2001 and 2013 were recruited from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. The study obtained data on the age, sex, urbanization, socioeconomic status, area of residence, diagnostic methods, and interventional management of the patients. Incidence, diagnostic modalities, treatment methods, malignancy, and mortality outcomes were analyzed.

resultsIn total, 206 new achalasia cases were identified. The mean annual incidence in Taiwan was 1.64 (95% confidence interval, 1.22-2.05) per 100 000 persons. The mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 51.8 years. The age-specific incidence of achalasia peaked in patients aged between 70 and 80 years and above 80 years. For achalasia diagnosis, endoscopy, computed tomography (CT), barium studies, and manometry were performed in 123 (59.71%), 97 (47.09%), 49 (23.79%), and 11 patients (5.34 %), respectively. During long-term follow-up, seven patients (3.39%) developed esophageal cancer, and 39 patients (18.93%) died. The median survival was 10.65 years after achalasia diagnosis, with a 10-year survival rate of 76.22%.

conclusionThis is the first population-based epidemiological study on achalasia in Taiwan, revealing the incidence of achalasia before the era of high-resolution manometry. Clinicians should be vigilant about the development of esophageal cancer and mortality during long-term follow-ups. There is also room to enhance the utilization of various diagnostic tools for achalasia.

Indexed as

Esophageal AchalasiaAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overChildCohort StudiesFemaleHumansIncidenceMaleMiddle AgedTaiwanYoung AdultAchalasiaDysphagiaEpidemiologyIncidence

Identifiers

PMID39915913
PMCPMC12718734

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