Validation of self-reported diagnosis of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders patients enrolled in the CEGIR contact registry

Segmental overlap is common in eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases and impacts clinical presentation and treatment

Little is known about the extent or importance of overlapping gastrointestinal (GI) tract involvement in eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs), how presentations differ by areas of involvement, and whether overlap impacts treatments. We aimed to evaluate overlapping GI tract involvement in EGIDs and whether clinical differences existed. To do this, we assessed the EGID Partners cohort, an online patient-centered research network. Adults (≥18 years) and caregivers of children <18 years old with EoE or non-EoE EGIDs could join. Surveys were completed at enrollment, comparing patients with EoE alone, EGID without esophageal involvement ('EGID-NE'), and EGID with esophageal involvement ('EGID-WE'). Of 527 cases enrolled, 402 had EoE alone and 125 had non-EoE EGID, 57 (46%) with EGID-NE, and 68 (53%) with EGID-WE. There were 10, 18, and 9 with eosinophilic gastritis, gastroenteritis, and colitis alone, respectively; 88 had overlap. EGID-NE had a higher proportion of females (79%; P < 0.001), and family history of EoE/EGID was more common in EGID-WE (19% vs. 11% in EoE and 7% in EGID-NE; P = 0.007). Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System measures for anxiety were above general population averages and highest for EGID-WE. Treatments such as elemental formula (47% vs. 32% vs. 20%; P = 0.001), systemic steroids (33% vs. 56% vs. 14%; P < 0.001), and biologics were also more common in EGID-WE and EGID-NE. In conclusion, overlap in regions with eosinophilic infiltration is common for non-EoE EGIDs, with more than half of non-EoE EGIDs having esophageal involvement and a high proportion of multisegmental involvement. EGID-WE patients tended to have more disease burden.

Frequent report of vitamin deficiencies and use of supplements and complementary/alternative treatment approaches in patients with eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases

Background

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs) impact nutrition.

Objectives

To assess the frequency of vitamin deficiencies, supplement use, and complementary/alternative-medication (CAM) use in EoE and non-EoE EGID patients.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Methods

We surveyed members of EGID Partners (egidpartners.org), a patient-centered research network, to assess physician-diagnosed vitamin deficiencies, supplement use, and use of CAM in patients with EoE versus non-EoE EGIDs.

Results

Of 81 EGID patients (58 EoE and 23 non-EoE EGID), self-reported frequency of vitamin deficiencies were higher in non-EoE EGIDs compared to EoE (61% vs 50%; p = 0.38; Table 1). Most patients (77%) indicated taking vitamins or supplements, with higher frequency in non-EoE EGID cases (87% vs 72%; p = 0.16). Use of >30 different supplements was reported. For CAM, herbal approaches were more frequent in non-EoE EGIDs compared to EoE (26% vs 5%; p = 0.008).

Conclusion

Vitamin deficiencies and supplement/CAM use are frequent in EGIDs, highlighting the need for additional EGID treatment.

Early life exposures as risk factors for non-esophageal eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases

OBJECTIVES

Early life exposures increase risk of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), but it is unknown whether they contribute to increased risk for non-EoE eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs). We aimed to assess the association between prenatal, antenatal, and early life factors and non-EoE EGIDs.

METHODS

We conducted a case-control study based in EGID Partners, an online patient-centered research network. Adults (≥18 years) with non-EoE EGIDs, caregivers of children <18 years of age with an EGID, and non-EGID adult controls were eligible. Subjects completed our Early Life Exposure Questionnaire, detailing maternal and early childhood exposures. We assessed for associations between non-EoE EGIDs and early life exposures, focusing on exposures previously evaluated in association with EoE.

RESULTS

We analyzed 61 non-EoE EGID cases and 20 controls. Of the EGID cases, 14 had eosinophilic gastritis, 19 had eosinophilic enteritis, 6 had eosinophilic colitis, and 22 had multiple areas affected; additionally, 30 had esophageal involvement. Relative to controls, EGID cases were more likely to have had antenatal/perinatal pregnancy-related complications (43% vs 13%; p = 0.02), NICU admission (20% vs 0%; p = 0.03), and antibiotics in infancy (43% vs 10%; p = 0.01). With adjustment for age at diagnosis, we observed increased odds of an EGID for pregnancy complications (aOR 3.83; 95% CI: 0.99-14.9) and antibiotic use in infancy (aOR 7.65; 95% CI: 1.28-45.7).

CONCLUSIONS

Early life factors, including pregnancy complications, NICU admission, and antibiotics in infancy, were associated with development of non-EoE EGIDs. The impact of early life exposures on non-EoE EGID pathogenic mechanisms should be investigated.

Challenges and Opportunities in Social Media Research in Gastroenterology

In recent years, social media has transformed how we as gastroenterologists communicate with each other and has grown into an arena of knowledge and peer support for patients. Gastroenterologists commonly use social media for education networking, patient populations use social media for peer support and advocacy, but little is known about how gastroenterologists can use social media to conduct thoughtful and rigorous patient-centered research. Therefore, we aim to introduce the scope of social media research, highlight prominent examples in gastroenterology, and review innovative opportunities and unique challenges to using and studying social media for research.