What worsens swallowing in esophageal achalasia? Insights from patient-reported outcomes.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction and aims

Esophageal achalasia (EA) is a rare motility disorder. Symptoms often impair quality of life (QoL) and lead to restrictive, self-managed diets with potential nutritional deficiencies. The study aimed to assess dietary patterns and nutritional status in EA patients.

Materials and methods

EA patients, retrospectively recruited from January 2018 to August 2024, filled out a 15-day diary to record ingested food and relative symptoms onset for each meal. Estimated caloric intake and macronutrient composition were compared to those recommended by the Italian Society of Human Nutrition (SINU). EA activity was assessed with Eckardt Symptoms Score (ESS) and QoL with the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI).

Results

Of 44 patients (24M, 20F; 56.9 ± 15.7

SUBMITTER: Cesarini A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12900736 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature