Diagnostic delay in achalasia.
Esophageal motor disorder
Socioeconomic factors
Tailored diagnosis
Journal
Digestive and liver disease : official journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver
ISSN: 1878-3562
Titre abrégé: Dig Liver Dis
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 100958385
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
17 May 2024
17 May 2024
Historique:
received:
27
02
2024
revised:
15
04
2024
accepted:
02
05
2024
medline:
19
5
2024
pubmed:
19
5
2024
entrez:
18
5
2024
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
Achalasia is a rare disorder characterized by impaired esophageal motility and symptoms like dysphagia, regurgitation, chest pain, and weight loss. A timely diagnosis is crucial to adequately manage this condition. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic delay from symptom onset to a definite diagnosis of achalasia, and to identify associated factors. This retrospective, single-center study included patients diagnosed with achalasia between January 2013 and September 2023. Demographic data, symptoms, manometric, endoscopic, and radiological findings were collected. We also considered socio-economic deprivation. Early diagnosis was defined as occurring within 12 months of symptom onset, while late diagnosis was defined as occurring more than 12 months. We included 278 patients (142 males, median age 58 years). Dysphagia was the most common symptom (96 %), followed by regurgitation (70.1 %). The median diagnostic delay was 24 months (IQR 12-72, range 0-720), with 213 patients (76.6 %) experiencing late diagnosis. Early diagnosis was more common in patients with weight loss (63.1% vs. 42.0 %, p = 0.003). Lower material deprivation correlated with shorter diagnostic delay (24 months, IQR 10-60 vs. 60 months, IQR 18-300, p = 0.001). Achalasia diagnosis is often delayed. Weight loss along with socio-economic factors, influence the timeliness of diagnosis. Improving awareness of disease and relevance of initial symptoms may facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Achalasia is a rare disorder characterized by impaired esophageal motility and symptoms like dysphagia, regurgitation, chest pain, and weight loss. A timely diagnosis is crucial to adequately manage this condition.
AIMS
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess the diagnostic delay from symptom onset to a definite diagnosis of achalasia, and to identify associated factors.
METHODS
METHODS
This retrospective, single-center study included patients diagnosed with achalasia between January 2013 and September 2023. Demographic data, symptoms, manometric, endoscopic, and radiological findings were collected. We also considered socio-economic deprivation. Early diagnosis was defined as occurring within 12 months of symptom onset, while late diagnosis was defined as occurring more than 12 months.
RESULTS
RESULTS
We included 278 patients (142 males, median age 58 years). Dysphagia was the most common symptom (96 %), followed by regurgitation (70.1 %). The median diagnostic delay was 24 months (IQR 12-72, range 0-720), with 213 patients (76.6 %) experiencing late diagnosis. Early diagnosis was more common in patients with weight loss (63.1% vs. 42.0 %, p = 0.003). Lower material deprivation correlated with shorter diagnostic delay (24 months, IQR 10-60 vs. 60 months, IQR 18-300, p = 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Achalasia diagnosis is often delayed. Weight loss along with socio-economic factors, influence the timeliness of diagnosis. Improving awareness of disease and relevance of initial symptoms may facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Identifiants
pubmed: 38762352
pii: S1590-8658(24)00738-2
doi: 10.1016/j.dld.2024.05.001
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.