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Author Spotlight: Investigating the Pathophysiology of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Pathophysiology of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Published on: May 10, 2024

A PhysioMechanical Model of Esophageal Function in Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Dustin A Carlson¹, Ikuo Hirano¹, Nirmala Gonsalves¹

¹Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.

Gastroenterology

|June 1, 2023

Abstract

Background & Aims:

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is characterized by eosinophilic inflammation, but also heterogeneous presentations involving fibrostenotic esophageal remodeling and esophageal dysmotility. We aimed to define and evaluate phenotypes of EoE using functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) panometry (ie, a PhysioMechanical classification of EoE).

Methods:

Patients with EoE who completed FLIP during endoscopy were included in a cross-sectional study. FLIP studies were analyzed for distensibility plateau and compliance of the esophageal body, maximum esophagogastric junction diameter, and contractile response pattern. These FLIP features were then applied to define PhysioMechanical classifications.

Results:

A total of 215 patients with EoE (mean [standard deviation] age 38 [12] years; 31% female) were included. Seven PhysioMechanical classifications were identified that differed by various clinical characteristics, including symptom duration (P < .001) and Endoscopic EoE Reference Scores (EREFS) (P < .001). In particular, patients with "nonreactive fibrostenosis" (n = 14), had greater symptom duration (median [interquartile range] 20 [10-30] years) and more frequently had EREFS grade 2 or 3 ring scores (14 of 14 patients) than patients with a "normal" PhysioMechanical classification (symptom duration: 3 [1-8] years; 4 of 50 [8%] had EREFS grade 2 or 3 rings). In addition, among patients off treatment at cross-sectional evaluation (n = 46), there was a difference between PhysioMechanical classifications in future proton pump inhibitor (PPI) response rates (ie, achieving peak mucosal eosinophil count <15 per high-powered field after PPI treatment); P = .009. PPI response ranged from 87% (13 of 15 patients) with "isolated esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction" to 11% (1 of 9 patients) with "spastic-reactive fibrostenosis."

Conclusions:

Classifying PhysioMechanical esophageal function in EoE based on FLIP panometry features may facilitate defining disease severity and directing management in EoE.

Keywords:

Dysphagia Motility Peristalsis Stricture

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