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Updated: Jan 18, 2026
Author Spotlight: Investigating the Pathophysiology of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Published on: May 10, 2024
Extraintestinal Symptoms of Pain Are Common in Patients With Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases
Jennifer Dziwis1, Xiangfeng Dai2, Chelsea Anderson2
1Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Section, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Background And Aims:
Extraintestinal symptoms are well-documented in systemic, inflammation-predominant conditions. Less is understood about extragastrointestinal symptoms among individuals with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and non-EoE eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs). We aimed to describe the differences in the frequency of patient-reported joint or leg pain and headache for EoE and non-EoE EGIDs individuals.
Methods:
Adult subjects and caregivers of children were recruited via the EGID Partners network and completed the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire and Migraine Disability Assessment Test. T-tests were used to evaluate differences in extraintestinal pain symptomology by EGID type.
Results:
We analyzed 95 subjects with EoE only and 24 subjects with non-EoE only EGIDs. Both EoE and non-EoE EGID subjects described frequent leg pain (50% and and 78%, respectively). While no significant difference was observed in number of days of leg pain, pain severity was higher for non-EoE EGID subjects (P < .01). In addition, 78% of EoE only and 89% of non-EoE only EGID subjects reported joint pain, with no significant difference in the number of days of pain, but with higher pain severity for non-EoE EGID subjects (P < .01). Headache disability scores for non-EoE EGID subjects were more severe compared to subjects with EoE alone (17% of non-EoE EGIDs with severe disability vs 9% for EoE; P = .01).
Conclusion:
Patients with EGIDs may experience extraintestinal symptoms of pain. These symptoms may be more prominent in patients with non-EoE only EGIDs. Understanding of the underlying factors contributing to these symptoms is needed to guide mitigating approaches for these symptoms.
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