SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2007

September 15, 2007

Predictions of eosinophilic esophagitis in patients with dysphagia

Summary
Background - Dysphagia (Dp) is a common manifestation of eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) but also occurs in a number of other disorders.

Findings - Prasad et al of the Mayo Clinic carried out mid-esophageal biopsies in 222 adults with Dp and either 1) gross endoscopic findings suggestive of EE or 2) no obvious cause of Dp on gross endoscopic exam. In these patients 15% had pathologic evidence of EE, including 10% of those with grossly normal findings in endoscopy. Pathologic evidence of EE was likely in younger individuals, absence of the use of PPI drugs and food impaction for more than 5 minutes.

Reference
Am J Gastroenterology 2007; August 31, E pub

Editor's Comments
These findings suggest that about one in 10 adults with unexplained solid food Dp have pathologic evidence of EE (>20 eosinophil per HPF in a mid-esophageal biopsy). If confirmed, this findings has important therapeutic implications since there are promising on-going and developing treatments for EE.

 

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