Characteristics of achalasia and detection of pulmonary complications: A comparison of findings in younger and elderly patients

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Background: Achalasia is a rare esophageal motility disorder of unknown etiology, which leads to changes in the pressure and relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), affecting peristalsis and contraction of the esophageal body. Dysphagia can impact individuals of any age, it is frequent in the elderly. Non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms are delayed and can give false diagnoses. The aim of this study is to compare clinical presentation and pulmonary complications in younger (Group I) and elderly patients (Group II). Methods: 108 patients with achalasia were separated into two groups—young and elderly patients. Demographic, clinical, radiological and manometric data, smoking status, and symptom score were compared between these groups. Results: There was no significant difference in gender, duration of symptoms, body mass index (BMI), or diameter of esophagus between the two patient groups. There was a statistically significant difference between frequencies of comorbidity between groups ( p = 0.009). Even though there were no differences in chest tomography scan (CT) findings and diameter, there were statistical differences in diffusion capacity ( p = 0.041). Respiratory symptoms occurred in 38 (48.7%) patients in Group I and in 20 (66.7%) in Group II ( p = 0.011). Cough was dominant in the younger group, but fatigue and chest pain were statistically significant and frequent in elderly group patients with achalasia. There was no significant difference in Eskardt symptom score (ESS), but there was the difference in the frequency of individual symptoms. Vomitus and regurgitation were statistically higher frequent in Group I, but dysphagia and weight loss in Group II. Subtype 1 was dominant in the younger group, and subtype 2 in a group with older patients. Conclusion: The younger achalasia population group was found to be associated with decreased diffusion capacity, type 1 achalasia, cough, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomitus and regurgitation. Geriatric status was found to be associated with frequent comorbidities, subtype 2, frequent respiratory symptoms, dysphagia, and weight loss. Our findings demonstrated an association between esophageal motility abnormalities and characteristics of geriatric population.

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