The prevalence of oesophageal eosinophilia and eosinophilic oesophagitis: a prospective study in unselected patients presenting to endoscopy. Issue 8 (26th February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sealock, R. J.; Kramer, J. R.; Verstovsek, G.; Richardson, P.; Rugge, M.; Parente, P.; Vela, M.; El‐Serag, H. B.
• Is Part Of: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics. Volume 37:Issue 8(2013)
• Page Start: 825
• Page End: 832
• Publication Date: 2013-02-26
• Subjects: Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Digestive organs -- Effect of drugs on -- Periodicals; Gastrointestinal system -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Gastrointestinal system -- Effect of drugs on -- Periodicals; 615.73
• DOI: 10.1111/apt.12268
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-2813

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en" id="apt12268-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <sec id="apt12268-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Oesophageal eosinophilia (EE) is encountered in clinical practice as oesophageal biopsies are being obtained in patients with GI symptoms other than classical symptoms of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE). The prevalence, determinants and clinical relevance of EE identified irrespective of symptoms are unclear.</p> </sec> <sec id="apt12268-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>To determine the prevalence and risk factors of EE with or without EoE in a nonselected group of patients undergoing endoscopy and in primary care patients.</p> </sec> <sec id="apt12268-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A cross‐sectional study in a single VA centre in which we obtained at least one oesophageal biopsy from patients presenting to elective endoscopy, as well as a sample of patients eligible for screening colonoscopy recruited from primary care clinics. EE was defined by >15 eosinophils in a single HPF; and EoE was defined as definite, probable or none depending on the presence of EE, acid‐suppressive therapy and oesophageal symptoms.</p> </sec> <sec id="apt12268-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>EE was identified in 33 of 1357 patients (2.4%, 95% CI: 1.7–3.4); of whom 9 had definite EoE (0.66%, 95% CI: 0.23–1.10), 17 had probable EoE (1.25%), and the only 7 patients had EE without EoE. The prevalence of EE was 2.3% among patients undergoing elective endoscopy and 0.1% among patients eligible for screening colonoscopy. Seasonal allergies (adjusted OR: 2.78; 95% CI: 1.26–6.11) and oesophageal strictures (4.50; 0.90–22.40) were associated with EE.</p> </sec> <sec id="apt12268-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The prevalence of EE was 2.3% among unselected patients presenting to endoscopy most of whom have EoE. EE was present in 0.1% in primary care patients none of whom had EoE.</p> </sec> </abstract>