Introduction: Case reports describe individuals with achalasia features subsequently diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis (an atopic disorder). We have examined associations between achalasia and atopic and autoimmune conditions.
Methods: This is a UK cohort study of 2,593 subjects with achalasia matched to 10,402 controls.
Results: At diagnosis, achalasia was associated with autoimmune conditions (odds ratio 1.39; 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.90) and atopic conditions (1.40; 1.00-1.95) in those aged younger than 40 years.
Disscussion: Our findings support an autoimmune etiology in achalasia but also suggest a possible atopic etiology in younger subjects.
Copyright © 2020 by The American College of Gastroenterology.