Incidence and characteristics of eosinophilic esophagitis in adults

Abstract

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is a disease characterised by the infiltration of esophageal mucous by eosinophils, whose incidence in adults seems to have been increasing in recent years, in a way that is similar to what is occurring with other diseases of a probable immunoallergic aetiology. It predominates in young adults and is mainly expressed by dysphagia and esophageal food impactation. Treatment is based on eliminating the allergen that is potentially involved and the administration of corticoids. This article offers a retrospective review of EE cases diagnosed in the Hospital de Navarra between January 2002 and August 2008, with 25 patients found, which represents an incidence of 2.13 cases/105 inhabitants/year. Seventy-two percent of our patients showed dysphagia and 52% a history of food bolus impaction, with endoscopic alterations found in 23 of the 25 cases. Out of 24 patients studied, 76% showed an alimentary allergy or neumoallergens, which supports the immunoallergic basis of the disease and the need for an allergy exam in all patients with EE. The majority of our patients (22 out of 24 evaluated) presented a good clinical response to treatment, which was based on avoiding exposure to the potentially involved allergen and/or the administration of corticoids (topical or systemic) and/or the administration of proton pump inhibitors.