CHARACTERIZATION OF PATIENTS WITH EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS MANAGED BY GASTROENTEROLOGISTS AND ALLERGISTS: REAL-WORLD CLINICAL PRACTICE EVIDENCE

Abstract

<h3>Introduction</h3> Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, allergen-induced inflammatory disease of the esophagus. Although most patients are managed by gastroenterologists, some are managed by allergists. This real-world study seeks to understand any differences among patients with EoE managed by gastroenterologist versus allergists. <h3>Methods</h3> This study was an analysis of the Adelphi EoE Disease Specific Programme collected in 2020 in the United Stated and five European countries. Included patients were ≥12 years old, with biopsy-confirmed EoE and receiving prescribed EoE treatment. All patients were treated and managed by either gastroenterologists or allergists. <h3>Results</h3> Among 1001 patients with EoE, 9% were allergist-treated patients (ATP), and 91% were gastroenterologist-treated patients (GTP) (<b>Figure</b>). Prior to diagnosis, a greater percentage of ATP experienced food impaction and choking on food while a greater percentage of GTP experienced dysphagia. A greater percentage of ATP had comorbidities, particularly in atopic conditions. ATP had been treated on average 1 year longer since diagnosis than GTP, and a greater percentage of ATP changed treatments. A substantially greater percentage of GTP had tissue eosinophil counts >15 eosinophils/high power field vs ATP (60% vs 36%). GTP had undergone dilation more often than ATP, and dilation was more often performed after admittance to emergency room/hospital for GTP than ATP (36% versus 9%). <h3>Conclusion</h3> A greater percentage of GTP had dysphagia, and they had higher tissue eosinophilia and more frequent dilations, while a greater percentage of ATP reported food impaction/choking on food, had comorbidities, and had been on treatment longer.