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.
Patient Groups
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:
Vomiting
Trouble swallowing, especially with solid foods
Reflux that does not get better with medicines
Poor appetite
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
