Achalasia Patients Are at Nutritional Risk Regardless of Presenting Weight Category

Achalasia is an esophageal motor disorder that leads to swallowing dysfunction and weight loss. Nutritional risk in achalasia patients is not well defined.

The aims of this study were to define baseline body mass index (BMI), changes in weight, and nutritional risk over time in a large cohort of achalasia patients.

This was a retrospective cohort study of achalasia patients at a tertiary care center with documented BMI, symptom severity as per Eckardt score, and nutritional risk assessment as per the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, which considers BMI, degree of recent weight loss, and acuity of disease.

Among the 337 patients presenting for achalasia management, 179 had confirmed disease. Upon presentation 69.8% of patients were classified as overweight or obese. Using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, we found 50% of patients to be at moderate or high risk for malnutrition at presentation. Eckardt score (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.05-1.26), duration of disease (OR for each additional month 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.08), and female gender (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.02-3.03) were independent predictors of increased risk for malnutrition. Nutrition risk score decreased after therapy in 93.3% of patients.

Despite a high prevalence of overweight and obese status in achalasia patients, many are at risk of developing nutritional complications secondary to rapid weight loss. This risk frequently resolves post-treatment. Regardless of baseline BMI, we recommend all patients undergo nutritional assessment to identify high-risk patients who may benefit from dietary intervention and expedited therapy.