Most children with eosinophilic esophagitis have a favorable outcome as young adults

Summary The disease progression of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) from childhood into adulthood is unclear. To determine the clinical outcome of patients who were diagnosed with EoE as children, and who now are young adults. Children (<18 years old) diagnosed with EoE were enrolled in a prospective registry on demographics, presenting symptoms, and endoscopic/histologic findings. Subjects who now are adults (≥18 years old) were identified, and a structured telephone interview was conducted to obtain follow‐up data on symptom prevalence (dysphagia to solids and liquids, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, and heartburn/regurgitation), food impaction, medication usage, health‐care utilization, and resolution of atopy/food allergies. A favorable outcome was defined if EoE symptoms were resolved or improved by subjects' assessment. Unfavorable outcomes was defined as symptoms same or worse. Clinical variables that predicted a favorable outcome as an adult were examined. Mayo Dysphagia Scale (MDQ‐30: scored 0–100) was administered to validate the outcome assessment. Mantel‐Haenszel odds ratio and unpaired t‐test were used. Fifty‐eight subjects (64% male) who met study criteria were enrolled. Mean age at diagnosis was 12 years (range 4–17) and mean duration of follow‐up was 8.3 years (2–16). As children, the most common presenting symptoms were abdominal pain (54%), dysphagia (33%), and vomiting (24%). As young adults, 47 subjects (81%) had a favorable outcome...
Source: Diseases of the Esophagus - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research