Eosinophilic oesophagitis: no longer a rare cause of dysphagia

Eosinophilic oesophagitis has transformed from a rarely seen, case reportable diagnosis to an important cause of dysphagia and food bolus impaction in adults.

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Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune-mediated disease characterised clinically by symptoms related to oesophageal dysfunction and histologically by eosinophil-predominant inflammation.
EoE affects both children and adults and is more common in men than in women. In adults, the median age of onset is between 30 and 40 years.
The incidence of EoE appears to be increasing, which may be related to increased recognition. It is found in 50% of patients presenting with food impaction and 6 to 15% of patients undergoing an endoscopy for dysphagia. A recent Australian study found that the increase in prevalence of food bolus obstruction over the past 15 years was associated with an increase in the diagnosis of EoE.
Picture credit: © EyeQ/Dollar Photo Club.

Sunday 22 December 2024

Eosinophilic oesophagitis: no longer a rare cause of dysphagia

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