What demographic is most commonly affected by diffuse esophageal spasm?

Diffuse esophageal spasm (DES) is a disorder characterized by intermittent contractions of the esophagus that can lead to symptoms such as chest pain and dysphagia. This condition is often found more frequently in young women, particularly in their 30s to 50s, which aligns with the answer indicating young women as the demographic most commonly affected.

In younger women, hormonal influences and psychosocial factors may play a role in the presentation of this condition. Additionally, DES may be associated with other functional gastrointestinal disorders, which are also seen more commonly in females.

This demographic information exemplifies a pattern in which symptoms often arise, thereby helping clinicians to consider DES in the differential diagnosis especially when evaluating chest pain or esophageal motility disorders in young women. The conditions affecting the other demographics listed, such as older adults or children, do not reflect the typical presentation or prevalence of diffuse esophageal spasm, as this disorder is not primarily reported in these groups.