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Eosinophilic esophagitis

Evidence: Unconfirmed

Names

Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Eosinophilic Oesophagitis

Description

EoE is a buildup of white blood cells (eosinophils) in the throat (esophagus). This causes chronic inflammation and leads to problems swallowing. EoE has only recently been recognized as a disease. The condition occurs as an immune system reaction, but it is not in the form of antibodies, but more like an allergy.

EoE appears to be more common among those who suffer from allergies and asthma as well as autoimmune conditions such as celiac disease, and mast cell disorders. Mast cells are involved in the body’s allergic response system.

Eosinophilic esophagitis was first described in 1993 with a report of 12 patients who had dysphagia, normal endoscopy, no acid reflux, and intraepithelial eosinophilia.10 The authors recognized that these patients had a distinct disease. Since then, the disease has increased in prevalence.

Evidence for EoE being an autoimmune disease is limited.

Bloggers

None

Prevalence

US Cases: 32,000 - 180,000 [Moawad 2017]

Typical Age of onset

Initially diagnosed in children, but more adults are being recognized as having the disease.

Symptoms

In infants and toddlers:

  • Poor weight gain and growth

  • Reflux that does not get better with medicines

  • Difficulty feeding, in infants

  • Difficulty eating, in children

  • Vomiting

  • Abdominal pain

  • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)

  • Food getting stuck in the esophagus after swallowing (impaction)

  • No response to GERD medication

  • Failure to thrive (poor growth, malnutrition and weight loss)

In older children:

In adults:

  • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)

  • Food getting stuck in the esophagus after swallowing (impaction)

  • Chest pain that is often centrally located and does not respond to antacids

  • Persistent heartburn

  • Upper abdominal pain

  • No response to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) medication

  • Backflow of undigested food (regurgitation) 

  • Trouble swallowing, especially with solid foods

  • Food getting stuck in the esophagus

  • Reflux that does not get better with medicines

  • Heartburn

  • Chest pain