Eosinophilic esophagitis in the transition from childhood to adulthood

A study in the most recent of the Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics examines the natural history of eosinophilic esophagitis in the transition from childhood to adulthood.

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting both children and adults.

Little is known about the natural history of eosinophilic esophagitis in the transition from childhood into adulthood.

Dr Falk and colleagues determined the prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis symptoms and impact of eosinophilic esophagitis on quality of life among adults diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis during childhood.
 
The researchers performed a cross-sectional study of eosinophilic esophagitis patients from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia eosinophilic esophagitis registry.

49% were on PPI therapy

Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Patients 18 years or more diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis during childhood were administered validated dysphagia, and Quality of Life (PAGI-QOL) questionnaires.

Ongoing eosinophilic esophagitis treatments were ascertained.
 
A total of 140 eosinophilic esophagitis patients 18 years or more were identified.

The researchers reported that 53 completed all questions.

The team noted that only 11% of subjects had positive or indeterminate dysphagia scores.

However, of 47 patients with negative scores, 37% reported ongoing difficulty swallowing.

The research team found that the mean PAGI-QOL score was 4.85 out of 5.

The dietary dimension score was 3.7 per 5.

Current pharmacological eosinophilic esophagitis treatments were topical steroids, and interleukin-5 antagonists.

In addition, the researchers found that 49% were on PPI therapy, and 76% were following allergy directed diets.
 
Dr Falk's team concludes, "The majority of young adults diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis during childhood continue to require pharmacological treatment and/or dietary modification for eosinophilic esophagitis."

"A substantial proportion of this population experiences ongoing swallowing difficulties that a standard dysphagia questionnaire fails to capture."

"Dietary quality of life, but not total quality of life, appears to be adversely affected."

"These data suggest that eosinophilic esophagitis diagnosed during childhood remains a significant medical issue during early adulthood, and that better eosinophilic esophagitis symptom measurement instruments are needed."