Prevalence of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EOE) in Hispanic Patients Presenting With Dysphagia and Food Impaction

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of EOE in patients complaining of dysphagia and or food impaction is 10-15% in the Caucasian population1. The prevalence in Hispanics isn't well documented. The primary aim of this study was to define the prevalence of EoE in a predominantly Hispanic population presenting to a County Hospital with these complaints. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients presenting with dysphagia and/or food impaction having an EGD performed between August 2009 and September 2014. EoE was defined as >15 eosinophils/hpf on esophageal biopsy. Biopsies that met this criteria were reviewed and confirmed by a GI pathologist. Results: 311 patients underwent endoscopy for dysphagia and/or food impaction and 232 had 1 or more esophageal biopsies. 155 were Hispanic, 22 were Caucasian and 55 were “other”. The patients' age, gender and number of biopsies were noted. Eight patients with >15 eos/hpf were identified (3.4%) and were diagnosed with EOE. 5 of 155 Hispanic patients met this histologic criteria for EOE (3.2%) while 2/22 Caucasians (9.1%) and 1/55 “other” (1.8%) also met this criteria (Table 1). All patients with EOE (n=8) were male and less than 50 years of age. Endoscopic findings (rings, strictures, narrowing) were found in 4 of the 5 Hispanic patients (Table 2). Conclusion: The prevalence EOE in Hispanic patients in this study was considerable lower than that noted in the Caucasian patients in this study and is lower than that reported in Caucasian patients in the literature.1 - Hispanic patients in this study were male and younger than 50years of age. - Hispanic patients with EOE in this study frequently had visible endoscopic changes compatible with EOE. - Our study raises intriguing questions regarding the potential role for hygiene, diet, genetic and other factors that may have led to these findings.Figure 1Figure 2