Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Demographic, Clinical, Endoscopic, Histologic, and Atopic Characteristics of Children and Teenagers in a Region in Central Spain

摘要

Background and objective: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an increasingly prevalent chronic inflammatory disease of the esophaguswith an immunoallergic etiology. Few studies have been published on EoE in children and adolescents. The objective of this study wasto analyze the demographic, clinical, serologic, endoscopic-histologic, and atopic characteristics of pediatric patients with EoE and toidentify atopic and digestive comorbidities.Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study in children and adolescents (<16 years) assessed in a specialized multidisciplinaryEoE unit in a tertiary referral hospital in a central region of Spain between 2011 and 2015.Results: Thirty-five patients were included in the study. Twenty-eight (80%) were male. The mean age was 9.6 years, 83% were atopic,and 28% reported a family history of atopy. The most common symptom was dysphagia (51%). Eosinophilia was detected in the bloodof 60% of patients. Eosinophil cationic protein and total IgE were elevated in 88% and 77% of patients, respectively. The most frequentendoscopic finding was linear grooves (57%). Skin tests with aeroallergens were positive in 82% of patients (pollen 62% and food 60%).The main atopic comorbidities were asthma (48%) and rhinoconjunctivitis (37%). Digestive diseases were more often associated withgastritis and Helicobacter pylori infection (17%).Conclusions: Our results are similar to those previously reported. EoE is more common in boys and in individuals with a history of atopyand sensitization to airborne allergens and food. These results support the consideration of EoE as an atopic disease and underline theimportant role of allergists in early diagnosis and treatment.