Incidence of achalasia in New Zealand, 1980-84: An epidemiological study based on hospital discharges

One hundred and fifty-two patients with achalasia were first admitted to hospital in New Zealand between 1980 and 1984. The discharge of these patients was recorded by the National Health Statistics Centre which records details of all public health hospitals in New Zealand. The overall incidence was 0.95/100 000 population per year and was similar in North and South Islands and in men and women. The incidence increased with age and was 5.4/100 000 population per year in people aged over 80 years old. The disease was more common in Polynesian migrants (1.3/100 000 population per year) than other ethnic groups. Variations in incidence were seen across the Health Boards with the highest incidence of 2.9/100 000 population per year in Hawkes Bay and Tauranga.