Peer Reviewed
Gastroenterology clinic

Hard to swallow? The tale of eosinophilic oesophagitis

Li-zsa Tan, Daniel Avi Lemberg
Abstract
Eosinophilic oesophagitis is increasingly recognised as an important cause of upper gastrointestinal symptoms in both children and adults. Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment leads to resolution of symptoms and prevention of long-term sequelae for most patients.
Key Points
    Remember
    • Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune- or antigen-mediated oesophageal disease, whereby eosinophilic infiltration into the oesophageal mucosa results in symptoms of oesophageal dysfunction.1,2
    • Although EoE is often similar in presentation to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), especially in young children, its symptoms do not resolve when optimally treated with anti-reflux medication.3 Left untreated, EoE can lead to oesophageal fibrosis and stricturing disease.

    Picture credit: © Photographee.eu/Stock.adobe.com. Model used for illustrative purposes only.

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