Natural History of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Overview

About this study

Researchers are trying to understand the course of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), its progression and effects of treatments.

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults 18 years of age and older
  • Previous participation in the natural history followup study

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Inability to read due to: Blindness, cognitive dysfunction, or English language illiteracy
  • Pregnant women

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

Study statuses change often. Please contact the study team for the most up-to-date information regarding possible participation.

Mayo Clinic Location Status

Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Jeffrey Alexander, M.D.

Closed for enrollment

More information

Publications

  • To assess the prevalence of eosinophilic oesophagitis in a tertiary paediatric gastroenterology clinic population. Read More on PubMed
  • Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is rapidly emerging as a distinct disease entity in both pediatric and adult gastroenterology. The typical clinical presentation includes solid food dysphagia in young men who have an atopic predisposition. Food impaction necessitating endoscopic intervention is common. EE should be suspected, in particular, in patients with unexplained dysphagia or those with no response to antacid or anti-acid secretory therapy. Careful endoscopic and radiographic examinations reveal furrows, corrugations, rings, whitish plaques, fragile crêpe paper-like appearance, and a small-caliber esophagus. Mucosal erosion in the distal esophagus, characteristic to reflux esophagitis, is absent in EE. Marked eosinophil infiltration in the esophageal epithelia (>20 eosinophils per high-power field) is the diagnostic hallmark. Food antigens and aeroallergens may play a role in the pathogenesis of EE. The mechanisms may be dependent or independent of immunoglobulin E. Elimination diets, systemic and topical corticosteroids, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and, most recently, an anti-interleukin-5 monoclonal antibody have been used to treat EE. EE likely represents another example of eosinophil-associated inflammation of epithelia at the interface between external and internal milieu, similar to bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis. This review summarizes recent progress in the diagnosis and management of EE and discusses future research directions. Read More on PubMed
  • Primary eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic, increasingly recognized, interleukin 5-driven inflammatory disorder of the esophagus. The leading symptom in adults is uniform attacks of dysphagia, and the established histologic sign is a dense eosinophilic infiltration of the esophageal epithelium. Before this study, the natural course of eosinophilic esophagitis had not been defined and information regarding potential long-term risks was lacking. Read More on PubMed
  • The "ringed" or "corrugated" esophagus is a cause of chronic dysphagia and recurrent food impactions in young men. It was previously believed to be a congenital condition, but recent case series have documented histological esophagitis in these patients. We have treated 19 patients with a ringed esophagus and are impressed that this represents an acquired condition with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as its etiology. Our goals are to present the largest case series to date of ringed esophagus, discuss the evidence for GERD, and suggest a strategy for its diagnosis and management. Read More on PubMed
  • A patient with vigorous achalasia is presented who had marked smooth muscle hypertrophy and eosinophilic infiltration of the esophagus identical to that seen in patients with eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Eosinophilic infiltration of the esophagus probably represents a variant of the eosinophilic gastroenteritis syndrome and may predispose to an esophageal motor disorder. Read More on PubMed

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