PREVALENCE OF ESINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS AMONG ATOPIC EGYPTIAN POPULATION

Background: Esinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an atopic inflammatory disease of the esophagus that has become increasingly recognized in children and adults during the last decade. EoE is an atopic inflammatory disease of the esophagus that has become increasingly. Esinophils are typically present throughout the gastrointestinal tract since it is continuously exposed to foods, environmental allergens, toxins, and pathogens. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of esinophilic esophagitis in atopic patients. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective single center non randomized, observational study, 120 patients with age ranged from 18-60 years were recruited for this study. They were evaluated for esophageal symptoms using the frequency scale for the symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). It was conducted at Dermatology, Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT), Ophthalmology and allergy clinic of Internal Medicine Departments, Al-Husein University Hospital. The study was done during the periods between July 2017 and September 2018. Results: The mean total immunoglobulin E (IgE) of group II was higher than group I with significant statistical difference between both groups. As regards the mean blood esinophils of group II was higher than group I with significant statistical difference between both groups. Heartburn documented the higher presentations (83%), followed by regurgitation (58.5%), and a combination of other symptoms in patients. Only 6 cases out of 53 examined, endoscopic biopsies have histological features of EoE. The remaining 47 biopsies featured different histological diagnosis which included mild reflux esophagitis in 12 cases, moderate reflux esophagitis in 20 cases, and severe reflux esophagitis in 15 cases. Conclusion: Atopic patients who suffered from esophagitis symptoms were assessed for EoE by endoscopic and histopathological examination especially if there was a high IgE level or increased blood esinophils.