Eosinophilic esophagitis in patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease

Eosinophilic esophagitis is among the causes of refractory reflux disease. Biopsy of esophagus is the gold standard for diagnosis. In this study we determined the frequency of eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) in refractory reflux cases referred to Motility Department of Shahid Beheshti Research Center of Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Tehran, Iran.

In this cross-sectional study, 68 cases with refractory reflux disease underwent endoscopy and had biopsies taken. Specimens were stained by hematoxylin and eosin and two independent pathologists confirmed the diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis.

Mean (standard deviation, SD) age at diagnosis was 41.8 (10.94) years. All had allergy or atopy, and unknown dysphagia was noted for 66%. Endoscopic findings were as follows: esophagitis (33.3%), rings (33.3%), and whitish plaques (33.3%). Prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis was 8.8% (N = 6; one man and five women). No statistical difference in demographic variables was found between eosinophilic esophagitis cases and others, except for history of atopy, food impaction, and endoscopic features (P value <0.005).

Eosinophilic esophagitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any cases with refractory reflux who complain of chronic unexplained dysphagia, with history of recurrent food impaction, and atopy or abnormal endoscopic features.