[Skip to Content]

Quiz

Esophageal Disease

Eosinophilic EsophagitisA Review

Educational Objective
To review the diagnosis and treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis.

1 Credit CME

JAMA

Published Online: October 5, 2021

Review

Article Information and Disclosures

Amanda Muir, MD, MSTR¹;

Gary W. Falk, MD, MS²

Author Affiliations

¹Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
²Division of Gastroenterology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

Read article on JAMA Network

Read Article Take Quiz

Abstract

Importance Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the esophagus that affects an estimated 34.4/100 000 people in Europe and North America. EoE affects both children and adults, and causes dysphagia, food impaction of the esophagus, and esophageal strictures.

Observations EoE is defined by symptoms of esophageal dysfunction, such as vomiting, dysphagia, or feeding difficulties, in a patient with an esophageal biopsy demonstrating at least 15 eosinophils per high-power field in the absence of other conditions associated with esophageal eosinophilia such as gastroesophageal reflux disease or achalasia. Genetic factors and environmental factors, such as exposure to antibiotics early in life, are associated with EoE. Current therapies include proton pump inhibitors; topical steroid preparations, such as fluticasone and budesonide; dietary therapy with amino acid formula or empirical food elimination; and endoscopic dilation. In a systematic review of observational studies that included 1051 patients with EoE, proton pump inhibitor therapy was associated with a histologic response, defined as less than 15 eosinophils per high-power field on endoscopic biopsy, in 41.7% of patients, while placebo was associated with a 13.3% response rate. In a systematic review of 8 randomized trials of 437 patients with EoE, topical corticosteroid treatment was associated with histologic remission in 64.9% of patients compared with 13.3% for placebo. Patients with esophageal narrowing may require dilation. Objective assessment of therapeutic response typically requires endoscopy with biopsy.

Conclusions and Relevance EoE has a prevalence of approximately 34.4/100 000 worldwide. Treatments consist of proton pump inhibitors, topical steroids, elemental diet, and empirical food elimination, with esophageal dilation reserved for patients with symptomatic esophageal narrowing.

Take Quiz

Sign in to take quiz and track your certificates

Buy This Activity

Article Information

Corresponding Author: Gary W. Falk, MD, MS, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, 7th Floor, South Pavilion, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (gary.falk@pennmedicine.upenn.edu).

Accepted for Publication: August 17, 2021.

Author Contributions: Drs Muir and Falk had full access to all of the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

Concept and design: Both authors.

Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: Both authors.

Drafting of the manuscript: Both authors.

Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Both authors.

Administrative, technical, or material support: Both authors.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Muir reported receiving research funding from Allakos. Dr Falk reported receiving research funding from Allakos, Arena, Adare/Ellodi, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Lucid, Regeneron, and Shire/Takeda and is a consultant for Allakos, Adare/Ellodi, Bristol Myers Squibb/Celgene, Lucid, Sanofi, and Shire/Takeda.

Funding/Support: This work was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive and Liver Disease (P30DK050306) and by the Consortium for Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease Research (CEGIR) (U54 AI117804), which is part of the Rare Disease Clinical Research Network (RDCRN), an initiative of the Office of Rare Diseases Research, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), and is funded through collaboration between the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIDDK, and NCATS. CEGIR is also supported by patient advocacy groups including the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders, Campaign Urging Research for Eosinophilic Diseases, and Eosinophilic Family Coalition. As a member of the RDCRN, CEGIR is also supported by its data management and coordinating center (U2CTR002818). Dr Muir is funded by NIH grants R01 DK124266-01 and R21TR00303902.

Role of the Funder/Sponsor: The funders had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

AMA CME Accreditation Information

Credit Designation Statement: The American Medical Association designates this Journal-based CME activity activity for a maximum of 1.00  AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to:

1.00 Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program;;
1.00 Self-Assessment points in the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery’s (ABOHNS) Continuing Certification program;
1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program;
1.00 Lifelong Learning points in the American Board of Pathology’s (ABPath) Continuing Certification program; and
1.00 credit toward the CME of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program

It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting MOC credit.