OBJECTIVES: Symptoms of achalasia are often misinterpreted, resulting in delayed diagnosis. The aims of our study were (1) to estimate the evolution of clinical and radiological features of a large population of achalasic patients between two successive periods; and (2) to determine the influence of symptoms on diagnostic delay. METHODS: Between 1980 and 1998, all achalasia patients treated in our unit were assessed at the time of manometric diagnosis for clinical and radiological features. These data were compared between two successive periods (1980-1994 and 1994-1998). Then, a correlation between the diagnostic delay, clinical and radiological data and symptoms was investigated. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-five consecutive achalasia patients were assessed (mean age at diagnosis, 56 years; mean diagnostic delay, 5.7 years). The duration of the disease was correlated with the oesophageal diameter (P = 0.0001). Dysphagia, chest pain and heartburn were more frequent in young patients (respectively, P = 0.003, 0.0001 and 0.001). Women had 1.7 times the risk of men for suffering of chest pain (95% CI, 1.1 -2.6) and 2.2 times the risk for heartburn (95% CI, 1.2-4.0). Pulmonary involvement was more frequent when the oesophagus was dilated (P = 0.0002), and 3.4 times more frequent when associated with regurgitations (95% CI, 1.3-8.9). The oesophageal diameter was significantly smaller (38 vs 48 mm) in the last period, but we have not observed any significant shortening of the diagnostic delay. No symptoms influenced the diagnostic delay. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a smaller oesophageal diameter at the time of diagnosis, during the period 1994-1998, diagnostic delay was not reduced. No clinical features associated with late diagnoses could be identified.
OBJECTIVES: Symptoms of achalasia are often misinterpreted, resulting in delayed diagnosis. The aims of our study were (1) to estimate the evolution of clinical and radiological features of a large population of achalasic patients between two successive periods; and (2) to determine the influence of symptoms on diagnostic delay. METHODS: Between 1980 and 1998, all achalasiapatients treated in our unit were assessed at the time of manometric diagnosis for clinical and radiological features. These data were compared between two successive periods (1980-1994 and 1994-1998). Then, a correlation between the diagnostic delay, clinical and radiological data and symptoms was investigated. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-five consecutive achalasiapatients were assessed (mean age at diagnosis, 56 years; mean diagnostic delay, 5.7 years). The duration of the disease was correlated with the oesophageal diameter (P = 0.0001). Dysphagia, chest pain and heartburn were more frequent in young patients (respectively, P = 0.003, 0.0001 and 0.001). Women had 1.7 times the risk of men for suffering of chest pain (95% CI, 1.1 -2.6) and 2.2 times the risk for heartburn (95% CI, 1.2-4.0). Pulmonary involvement was more frequent when the oesophagus was dilated (P = 0.0002), and 3.4 times more frequent when associated with regurgitations (95% CI, 1.3-8.9). The oesophageal diameter was significantly smaller (38 vs 48 mm) in the last period, but we have not observed any significant shortening of the diagnostic delay. No symptoms influenced the diagnostic delay. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a smaller oesophageal diameter at the time of diagnosis, during the period 1994-1998, diagnostic delay was not reduced. No clinical features associated with late diagnoses could be identified.