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Author Spotlight: Investigating the Pathophysiology of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Published on: May 10, 2024
Characterization of a group of children with eosinophilic esophagitis in Cali, Colombia
Laura Del Mar Vásquez1, Carlos Daniel Serrano1, Margarita Peña2
1Fundación Valle del Lili, Unidad de Alergología, Cra 98 No. 18 - 49, Cali 760032, Colombia.
Insights
This study describes pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in Colombia, finding abdominal pain and rhinitis are common. High rates of allergic sensitization, particularly to dust mites, were observed in children with EoE.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, immune-mediated gastrointestinal disease.
- Understanding the clinical and demographic profile of pediatric EoE is crucial for diagnosis and management.
- This study focuses on a pediatric population diagnosed with EoE in Cali, Colombia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clinically and demographically characterize a cohort of children diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).
- To identify common symptoms, comorbidities, and allergic sensitization patterns in pediatric EoE patients in Cali, Colombia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical histories of patients aged 0-18 years with suspected and confirmed EoE.
- Inclusion criteria required histological diagnosis of EoE.
- Allergy assessment included specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) testing and/or skin-prick tests.
Main Results:
- Thirty-five pediatric patients were analyzed; 60% were female, with a median age of 8 years.
- The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain (48.6%) and refractory gastroesophageal reflux (45.7%).
- High prevalence of allergic disease (85.7%), particularly rhinitis (71.4%), and sensitization to dust mites (84%) was noted.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in this Colombian cohort predominantly affected females and presented with abdominal pain.
- A significant association with other allergic conditions, especially rhinitis, and high rates of allergenic sensitization, particularly to dust mites, were observed.
- Endoscopic abnormalities were frequently present in children diagnosed with EoE.
Purpose:
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an immunologically mediated chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract. The objective of this study was to clinically and demographically describe a child population with EoE diagnosed in a high-complexity hospital in Cali, Colombia.
Methods:
A retrospective study was carried out. The clinical histories of patients between 0 and 18 years with clinical suspicion and a histological diagnosis of EoE were analyzed. All patients underwent an allergy study, either by measurement of specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E and/or an intraepidermal skin-prick test.
Results:
Thirty-five patients were included in the study, of which 21 (60%) women. The median age was 8 years (interquartile range [IQR] 5-12), and the age of onset of symptoms was 5 years (IQR 2-10). Thirty patients (85.7%) reported a history of allergic disease, with rhinitis being the most frequent (n = 25, 71.4%). Only one patient reported with food allergy mediated by IgE. The main symptoms in patients included abdominal pain (17 [48.6%]), refractory gastroesophageal reflux (16 [45.7%]), and choking (9 [25.7%]). Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was normal in 10 patients (38.5%). The median number of eosinophils in the biopsy was 42 (IQR 31-92). Allergenic sensitization was verified in 25 of 35 patients (71.4%). Of these, dust mite allergy was positive in 21 patients (84%), while the most frequent food allergy was toward cow's milk, in five patients (31.3%).
Conclusions:
The majority of patients with EoE were females. The most frequent symptom was abdominal pain. Endoscopic abnormalities were also observed frequently, and the prevalence of other allergic diseases (especially rhinitis) and allergenic sensitization (especially to mites) was high.
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