The Prevalence of Esophageal Eosinophilia and EoE
Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) was first reported in 1978, and it has gained increased recognition as an aetiology of dysphagia and food impaction in adults. The hallmark of EoE is oesophageal eosinophilia (EE), commonly defined by at least 15 eosinophils per high-power field, combined with symptoms of oesophageal dysfunction. Other aetiologies of EE may include gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease and inflammatory bowel disease.
The prevalence of EoE has been examined by our group in a recent systematic review of the literature published through 2009. We identified 9 studies examining the prevalence of EE related to EoE in adult populations, most of which evaluated patients presenting with food bolus obstruction, dysphagia or GERD symptoms. The reported EoE prevalence estimates ranged between 0.9% and 48.2%.
Most patients with EE and dysphagia or food impaction have EoE. However, EE irrespective of EoE is encountered more frequently in clinical practice than it did previously, as more oesophageal biopsies are being obtained during the evaluation of upper gastrointestinal symptoms. The prevalence, determinants and clinical relevance of EE identified irrespective of EoE symptoms are unclear.
Two population-based studies have reported the prevalence of EE or EoE. One reported a prevalence of 0.02% for EoE, but not EE, in 100 000 individuals, and the second reported a prevalence of 1.1% for EE only, but not EoE, in 1000 individuals. The only 2 clinic-based studies that prospectively examined patients presenting to endoscopy for all indications reported an EoE prevalence rate of 0.9% in 4146 patients and 6.5% in 400 patients; however, both studies defined EoE exclusively by the presence of EE.
The aim of this cross-sectional study was to prospectively determine the prevalence, risk factors and clinical relevance (signs and symptoms) of EE among consecutively enrolled eligible patients presenting to elective EGD, as well as a background population representing primary care patients. In both groups, we performed systematic recording of endoscopic findings, oesophageal biopsies, and determination of risk factors by means of a survey questionnaire.
Background
Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) was first reported in 1978, and it has gained increased recognition as an aetiology of dysphagia and food impaction in adults. The hallmark of EoE is oesophageal eosinophilia (EE), commonly defined by at least 15 eosinophils per high-power field, combined with symptoms of oesophageal dysfunction. Other aetiologies of EE may include gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease and inflammatory bowel disease.
The prevalence of EoE has been examined by our group in a recent systematic review of the literature published through 2009. We identified 9 studies examining the prevalence of EE related to EoE in adult populations, most of which evaluated patients presenting with food bolus obstruction, dysphagia or GERD symptoms. The reported EoE prevalence estimates ranged between 0.9% and 48.2%.
Most patients with EE and dysphagia or food impaction have EoE. However, EE irrespective of EoE is encountered more frequently in clinical practice than it did previously, as more oesophageal biopsies are being obtained during the evaluation of upper gastrointestinal symptoms. The prevalence, determinants and clinical relevance of EE identified irrespective of EoE symptoms are unclear.
Two population-based studies have reported the prevalence of EE or EoE. One reported a prevalence of 0.02% for EoE, but not EE, in 100 000 individuals, and the second reported a prevalence of 1.1% for EE only, but not EoE, in 1000 individuals. The only 2 clinic-based studies that prospectively examined patients presenting to endoscopy for all indications reported an EoE prevalence rate of 0.9% in 4146 patients and 6.5% in 400 patients; however, both studies defined EoE exclusively by the presence of EE.
The aim of this cross-sectional study was to prospectively determine the prevalence, risk factors and clinical relevance (signs and symptoms) of EE among consecutively enrolled eligible patients presenting to elective EGD, as well as a background population representing primary care patients. In both groups, we performed systematic recording of endoscopic findings, oesophageal biopsies, and determination of risk factors by means of a survey questionnaire.
SHARE
