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Endoscopy 2021; 53(09): 886-892
DOI: 10.1055/a-1284-5891
Original article

Clinical features and time trends associated with an endoscopically normal esophagus in active eosinophilic esophagitis

Swathi Eluri
1   Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
2   Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
,
S. Ryanne Corder
3   University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
,
Erin Kim
3   University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
,
Manaswita Tappata
3   University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
,
Craig C. Reed
1   Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
2   Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
,
Nicholas J. Shaheen
1   Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
2   Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
,
Evan S. Dellon
1   Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
2   Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Abstract

Background A proportion of patients with active eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) have a normal-appearing esophagus on esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). We aimed to determine the associations between the baseline clinical features and the endoscopically normal esophagus in EoE, as well as time trends in reporting.

Methods In this retrospective study of active EoE cases from 2002 – 2018, patients with and without esophageal endoscopic abnormalities were compared. Multivariable logistic regression identified the independent predictors of a normal EGD. The proportion of patients with a normal EGD was determined per year, and before and after the introduction of the first EoE guidelines and the EoE Endoscopic Reference Score (EREFS).

Results Of 878 EoE patients, 101 (11.5 %) had an endoscopically normal esophagus; they were younger (8.3 vs. 25.4 years), had shorter median symptom duration before diagnosis (2.8 vs. 5.0 years), were less likely to have dysphagia (40 % vs. 76 %) or food impaction (8 % vs. 33 %), and more likely to have abdominal pain (37 % vs. 19 %) (P < 0.01 for all). On multivariable logistic regression, independent predictors of a normal esophagus were younger age (odds ratio [OR] 0.96, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.94 – 0.98), abdominal pain (OR 2.03, 95 %CI 1.13 – 3.67), and lack of dysphagia (OR 0.49, 95 %CI 0.26 – 0.93). The proportion of patients with a normal esophagus decreased from 21 % before the first EoE guidelines to 7 % (P < 0.01) after introduction of the EREFS.

Conclusions An endoscopically normal esophagus is seen in ~10 % of active EoE patients and should not preclude biopsies; younger age, abdominal pain, and lack of dysphagia are independent predictors. The proportion of normal EGDs decreased over time, suggesting improved recognition of endoscopic findings.



Publication History

Received: 30 July 2020

Accepted: 06 October 2020

Accepted Manuscript online:
06 October 2020

Article published online:
16 December 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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