Epidemiology of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Overview

Journal Gastroenterol Clin North Am

Specialty Gastroenterology

Date 2014 May 13

PMID 24813510

Citations 144

Authors

Evan S Dellon

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In this article, the epidemiology of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is reviewed. Demographic features and natural history are described, the prevalence and incidence of EoE are highlighted, and risk factors for EoE are discussed. EoE can occur at any age, there is a male predominance, it is more common in whites, and there is a strong association with atopic diseases. EoE is chronic, relapses are frequent, and persistent inflammation increases the risk of fibrostenotic complications. The prevalence is currently estimated at 0.5-1 in 1000, and EoE is now the most common cause of food impaction. The incidence of EoE is approximately 1/10,000 new cases per year, and the increase in incidence is outpacing increases in recognition and endoscopy volume, but the reasons for this evolving epidemiology are not yet fully delineated.

Citing Articles

Eosinophilic esophagitis manifesting as intractable hiccups in an elderly patient: a case report.

Jalloul S, Salem J, Karam K, Chamoun C, Chaptini L J Med Case Rep. 2025; 19(1):99.

PMID: 40045389 PMC: 11884032. DOI: 10.1186/s13256-025-05044-1.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Cow's Milk: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Treatment Perspectives.

Dinardo G, Fiocchi A, Artesani M, De Angelis P, Rea F, Tambucci R Nutrients. 2025; 17(2).

PMID: 39861395 PMC: 11767713. DOI: 10.3390/nu17020265.

Efficacy of One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass Versus Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Kapellas N, Alkhalil S, Senkal M Obes Surg. 2024; 34(12):4563-4572.

PMID: 39499394 DOI: 10.1007/s11695-024-07571-0.

Treatment Patterns and Persistent Disease Activity in Patients With Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Ayodele O, Parikh R, Esterberg E, Ajmera M, Goodwin B, Williams J Gastro Hep Adv. 2024; 3(5):659-670.

PMID: 39165411 PMC: 11330908. DOI: 10.1016/j.gastha.2024.02.007.

Milk or egg allergy diagnosis increases the risk of eosinophilic esophagitis diagnosis.

Haber C, Al-Shaikhly T, Jhaveri P J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2024; 12(11):3150-3152.e1.

PMID: 39151688 PMC: 11560657. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.08.019.

References

Rodrigo S, Abboud G, Oh D, DeMeester S, Hagen J, Lipham J . High intraepithelial eosinophil counts in esophageal squamous epithelium are not specific for eosinophilic esophagitis in adults. Am J Gastroenterol. 2008; 103(2):435-42. DOI: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2007.01594.x. View

Molina-Infante J, Ferrando-Lamana L, Ripoll C, Hernandez-Alonso M, Mateos J, Fernandez-Bermejo M . Esophageal eosinophilic infiltration responds to proton pump inhibition in most adults. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2010; 9(2):110-7. DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2010.09.019. View

Kidambi T, Toto E, Ho N, Taft T, Hirano I . Temporal trends in the relative prevalence of dysphagia etiologies from 1999-2009. World J Gastroenterol. 2012; 18(32):4335-41. PMC: 3436048. DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i32.4335. View

Moawad F, Veerappan G, Dias J, Maydonovitch C, Wong R . Race may play a role in the clinical presentation of eosinophilic esophagitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2012; 107(8):1263. DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2012.176. View

Straumann A . The natural history and complications of eosinophilic esophagitis. Thorac Surg Clin. 2011; 21(4):575-87. DOI: 10.1016/j.thorsurg.2011.09.004. View

Wolf W, Jerath M, Dellon E . De-novo onset of eosinophilic esophagitis after large volume allergen exposures. J Gastrointestin Liver Dis. 2013; 22(2):205-8. PMC: 3813013. View

Straumann A, Conus S, Degen L, Frei C, Bussmann C, Beglinger C . Long-term budesonide maintenance treatment is partially effective for patients with eosinophilic esophagitis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2011; 9(5):400-9.e1. DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2011.01.017. View

Foroutan M, Norouzi A, Molaei M, Mirbagheri S, Irvani S, Sadeghi A . Eosinophilic esophagitis in patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease. Dig Dis Sci. 2009; 55(1):28-31. DOI: 10.1007/s10620-008-0706-z. View

Abonia J, Wen T, Stucke E, Grotjan T, Griffith M, Kemme K . High prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis in patients with inherited connective tissue disorders. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013; 132(2):378-86. PMC: 3807809. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.02.030. View

10.

Vanderheyden A, Petras R, DeYoung B, Mitros F . Emerging eosinophilic (allergic) esophagitis: increased incidence or increased recognition?. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2007; 131(5):777-9. DOI: 10.5858/2007-131-777-EEAEII. View

11.

Molina-Infante J, Katzka D, Gisbert J . Review article: proton pump inhibitor therapy for suspected eosinophilic oesophagitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2013; 37(12):1157-64. DOI: 10.1111/apt.12332. View

12.

Gonsalves N, Yang G, Doerfler B, Ritz S, Ditto A, Hirano I . Elimination diet effectively treats eosinophilic esophagitis in adults; food reintroduction identifies causative factors. Gastroenterology. 2012; 142(7):1451-9.e1. DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2012.03.001. View

13.

Joo M, Park J, Kim S, Kim K, Jung W, Yun J . Prevalence and endoscopic features of eosinophilic esophagitis in patients with esophageal or upper gastrointestinal symptoms. J Dig Dis. 2012; 13(6):296-303. DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-2980.2012.00589.x. View

14.

Kelly K, Lazenby A, Rowe P, Yardley J, Perman J, Sampson H . Eosinophilic esophagitis attributed to gastroesophageal reflux: improvement with an amino acid-based formula. Gastroenterology. 1995; 109(5):1503-12. DOI: 10.1016/0016-5085(95)90637-1. View

15.

Sealock R, Kramer J, Verstovsek G, Richardson P, Rugge M, Parente P . The prevalence of oesophageal eosinophilia and eosinophilic oesophagitis: a prospective study in unselected patients presenting to endoscopy. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2013; 37(8):825-32. PMC: 3602156. DOI: 10.1111/apt.12268. View

16.

Franciosi J, Tam V, Liacouras C, Spergel J . A case-control study of sociodemographic and geographic characteristics of 335 children with eosinophilic esophagitis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009; 7(4):415-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2008.10.006. View

17.

Brown E, Arrieta M, Finlay B . A fresh look at the hygiene hypothesis: how intestinal microbial exposure drives immune effector responses in atopic disease. Semin Immunol. 2013; 25(5):378-87. DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2013.09.003. View

18.

Hassall E . Over-prescription of acid-suppressing medications in infants: how it came about, why it's wrong, and what to do about it. J Pediatr. 2011; 160(2):193-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2011.08.067. View

19.

Kerlin P, Jones D, Remedios M, Campbell C . Prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis in adults with food bolus obstruction of the esophagus. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2007; 41(4):356-61. DOI: 10.1097/01.mcg.0000225590.08825.77. View

20.

Spergel J, Rothenberg M, Collins M, Furuta G, Markowitz J, Fuchs 3rd G . Reslizumab in children and adolescents with eosinophilic esophagitis: results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011; 129(2):456-63, 463.e1-3. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.11.044. View