Eosinophilic esophagitis: current status and future directions

Health-Related Quality of Life and Perceived Stigma in Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A Real-World, US, Web-Based Survey

Background and Aims

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is associated with impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and stigma perceptions. Therefore, we examined the real-world impact of EoE on the daily life and ability to function in adolescents (caregiver-reported) and adults with EoE in the United States of America in a noninterventional, cross-sectional, web-based survey.

Methods

HRQoL was assessed using the Short Form Health Survey (domains: vitality and social functioning) and the European Health Interview Survey (domain: sleep). Scores for the survey responses were on a scale of 0 to 100; higher scores indicated better performance in the HRQoL domain. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) short forms. Higher PROMIS scores indicated higher levels of anxiety and depression; a mean score of 50.0 was representative of the general population (individuals without EoE). The sources and impact of EoE-associated perceived stigma were also examined.

Results

Overall, 211 caregivers and 184 adults completed the survey. HRQoL scores were slightly higher for adolescents than adults with EoE (adolescent and adult scores, respectively: vitality, 50.3 and 36.1; social functioning, 64.0 and 62.4; and sleep, 55.7 and 52.0). Anxiety scores (adolescent and adult scores, respectively: 54.8 and 59.7) and depression scores (54.5 and 56.3) were higher in those with EoE than in the general population. Most participants reported experiencing perceived stigma, which was most commonly from family, friends, classmates, or health-care professionals.

Conclusion

Patients with EoE had poor HRQoL, which was demonstrated by the high EoE-associated emotional and psychological burdens and perceived stigma they experience.

Novel transcriptomic panel identifies histologically active eosinophilic oesophagitis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is characterised by symptoms of esophageal dysfunction and oesinophil tissue infiltration. The EoE Diagnostic Panel (EDP) can distinguish between active and non-active EoE using a set of 77 genes. Recently, the existence of distinct EoE variants featuring symptoms similar to EoE, such as oesophageal dysfunction but lacking eosinophil infiltration, had been determined.

METHODS

We used oesophageal biopsies from patients with histologically active (n=10) and non-active EoE (n=9) as well as from healthy oesophageal controls (n=5) participating in the Swiss Eosinophilic Esophagitis Cohort Study (SEECS) and analysed the gene expression profile in these biopsies by total RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). Moreover, we employed the publicly accessible RNA-seq dataset (series GSE148381) as reported by Greuter et al, encompassing a comprehensive genomic profile of patients presenting with EoE variants.

RESULTS

A novel, diagnostic gene expression panel that can effectively distinguish patients with histologically active conventional EoE from patients with EoE in histological remission and control individuals, and from three newly discovered EoE variants was identified. Histologically Active EoE Diagnostic Panel (HAEDP) consists of 53 genes that were identified based on differential expression between histologically active EoE, histological remission and controls (p≤0.05). By combining the HAEDP with EDP, we expanded our knowledge about factors that may contribute to the inflammation in EoE and improved our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the disease. Conversely, we suggested a compact group of genes common to both HAEDP and EDP to create a reliable diagnostic tool that might enhance the accuracy of EoE diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

We identified a novel set of 53 dysregulated genes that are closely associated with the histological inflammatory activity of EoE. In combination with EDP, our new panel might be a valuable tool for the accurate diagnosis of patients with EoE as well as for monitoring their disease course.

Eosinophilic esophagitis in adults and adolescents: epidemiology, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies for a type 2 inflammatory disease

Background

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is recognized as a chronic type 2 inflammatory disease characterized by the eosinophilic infiltration of the esophageal tissue, posing a significant disease burden and highlighting the necessity for novel management strategies to address unmet clinical needs.

Objectives

To critically evaluate the existing literature on the epidemiology and management of EoE, identify evidence gaps, and assess the efficacy of current and emerging treatment modalities.

Design

An extensive literature review was conducted, focusing on the epidemiological trends, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic interventions for EoE. This was complemented by a survey among physicians and consultations with a scientific expert panel, including a patient's association (ESEO Italia), to enrich the study findings.

Data sources and methods

The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, scrutinizing epidemiological studies and management research to compile comprehensive insights into the disease's landscape. The physician survey and expert panel discussions aimed to bridge identified evidence gaps.

Results

The review included 59 epidemiological and 51 management studies, uncovering variable incidence and prevalence rates of EoE globally, with an estimated diagnosed prevalence of 41 per 100,000 in Italy. Diagnostic challenges were identified, including nonspecific symptoms and the lack of definitive biomarkers, which complicate the use of endoscopy. Treatment options such as elimination diets, proton-pump inhibitors, and swallowed corticosteroids were found to have varying success rates, while Dupilumab, an emerging therapy targeting interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13, shows promise.

Conclusion

Despite advancements in understanding and managing EoE, significant unmet clinical needs remain, particularly in biomarker identification, therapy personalization, and cost-effectiveness evaluation. A comprehensive, multidimensional approach to patient management is required, emphasizing the importance of early symptom recognition, accurate diagnosis, and tailored treatment strategies. Dupilumab offers potential as a novel treatment, underscoring the need for future research to explore the economic and social dimensions of EoE care pathways.

Expert Recommendations on the Diagnosis of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in the United Arab Emirates

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, progressive, type 2 inflammatory esophageal disease presenting as dysphagia to solid food and non-obstructive food impaction. Knowledge gaps exist in its diagnosis and management. These expert recommendations focused on the diagnosis of EoE in the United Arab Emirates. An electronic search of PubMed and Embase databases was used to gather evidence from systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, consensus papers, and expert opinions from the last five years on the diagnosis of EoE. The evidence was graded using the Oxford system. Literature search findings were shared with the expert panel. A 5-point scale (strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree, and strongly disagree) was used, and a concordance rate of >75% among experts indicated agreement. Using a modified Delphi technique, 18 qualified experts provided 17 recommendations. Eleven statements achieved high agreement, four got moderate agreement, and two got low agreement. Challenges exist in diagnosing EoE, particularly in children. Esophageal biopsies were crucial in diagnosis, irrespective of visible mucosal changes. Further research on diagnostic tools like endoscopic mucosal impedance and biomarkers is needed. Diagnosis relies on esophageal biopsies and symptom-histology correlation; however, tools like EoE assessment questionnaires and endoscopic mucosal impedance could enhance the accuracy and efficiency of EoE diagnosis. The diagnosis of EoE is challenging since the symptoms seldom correlate with the histological findings. Currently, diagnosis is based on patient symptoms and endoscopic and histological findings. Further research into mucosal impedance tests and the role of biomarkers is needed to facilitate diagnosis.

Novel multimorbidity clusters in people with eczema and asthma: a population-based cluster analysis

Eczema and asthma are allergic diseases and two of the commonest chronic conditions in high-income countries. Their co-existence with other allergic conditions is common, but little research exists on wider multimorbidity with these conditions. We set out to identify and compare clusters of multimorbidity in people with eczema or asthma and people without. Using routinely-collected primary care data from the U.K. Clinical Research Practice Datalink GOLD, we identified adults ever having eczema (or asthma), and comparison groups never having eczema (or asthma). We derived clusters of multimorbidity from hierarchical cluster analysis of Jaccard distances between pairs of diagnostic categories estimated from mixed-effects logistic regressions. We analysed 434,422 individuals with eczema (58% female, median age 47 years) and 1,333,281 individuals without (55% female, 47 years), and 517,712 individuals with asthma (53% female, 44 years) and 1,601,210 individuals without (53% female, 45 years). Age at first morbidity, sex and having eczema/asthma affected the scope of multimorbidity, with women, older age and eczema/asthma being associated with larger morbidity clusters. Injuries, digestive, nervous system and mental health disorders were more commonly seen in eczema and asthma than control clusters. People with eczema and asthma of all ages and both sexes may experience greater multimorbidity than people without eczema and asthma, including conditions not previously recognised as contributing to their disease burden. This work highlights areas where there is a critical need for research addressing the burden and drivers of multimorbidity in order to inform strategies to reduce poor health outcomes.

The Effectiveness of Synbiotic on the Improvement of Clinical Symptoms in Children with Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Background

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an allergic inflammatory disorder of the esophagus. Today, probiotics are included as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of synbiotic on clinical symptom improvement in EoE patients.

Methods

This study is designed by a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with two parallel groups, which was performed on 30 children with eosinophilic esophagitis. All participants were children aged 6 months to 15 years. Both groups received the same treatment (elimination diet, topical steroid, and proton pump inhibitor). A synbiotic (KidiLact) was added to the medication regimen of 15 patients (case), while the next 15 patients received a placebo (control). Severity and frequency of symptoms were assessed with a checklist derived from a validated scoring tool in both groups before and after 8 weeks of treatment.

Results

There was a significant reduction in the severity score of chest pain and poor appetite (P value < 0.05) in the case group taking probiotics, while nausea and poor appetite were the only symptoms with a significant reduction in the frequency score after intervention in this group.

Conclusion

Probiotics can be used as adjuvant treatment for patients with EoE. Improvement in the severity of chest pain and poor appetite and reduction in the frequency of nausea and poor appetite in these patients can be seen.

The Global Rise and the Complexity of Sesame Allergy: Prime Time to Regulate Sesame in the United States of America?

Sesame allergy is a life-threatening disease that has been growing globally with poorly understood mechanisms. To protect sensitive consumers, sesame is regulated in many countries. There were four research goals for this work on sesame allergy: (i) to map the timeline, and the extent of its global rise; (ii) to dissect the complexity of the disease, and its mechanisms; (iii) to analyze the global regulation of sesame; and (iv) to map the directions for future research and regulation. We performed a literature search on PubMed and Google Scholar, using combinations of key words and analyzed the output. Regulatory information was obtained from the government agencies. Information relevant to the above goals was used to make interpretations. We found that: (i) the reports appeared first in 1950s, and then rapidly rose globally from 1990s; (ii) sesame contains protein and lipid allergens, a unique feature not found in other allergenic foods; (iii) it is linked to five types of diseases with understudied mechanisms; and (iv) it is a regulated allergen in 32 advanced countries excluding the USA. We also provide directions for filling gaps in the research and identify implications of possible regulation of sesame in the USA.