Comprehensive epidemiological and genotype–phenotype analyses in a large European sample with idiopathic achalasia

Abstract

Our data point to a role of viral infections in the development of achalasia. In addition, they provide evidence for a relationship between achalasia and allergic, as well as autoimmune, disorders. Furthermore, pregnancy seems to be a disease-triggering factor in female HLA-DQβ1 insertion carriers, which points to hormonal and/or immunosuppressive factors influencing disease development.