Aims:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)
in the central region of the Russian Federation among adult patients undergoing upper
gastrointestinal (UGI) due to upper gastrointestinal symptoms.
Methods:
This study was conducted in 5 endoscopy departments in the central region of the Russian
Federation (4 in Moscow, 1 in Yaroslavl). During a 12 month period (from October 2017
to October 2018) 23740 adult patients (aged 18 – 80 years) were evaluated using UGI
endoscopy due to symptoms (heartburn, dysphagia, food impaction, acid regurgitation,
chest pain, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting). In patients with endoscopic findings
of EoE (edema, rings, exudates, furrows, and strictures) 8 biopsies were obtained
from the proximal and distal esophagus to quantify the maximum eosinophil count per
high-power field (eos/hpf; hpf = 0.24 mm) by a gastrointestinal pathologist. EoE was
defined by ≥15 eosinophils/high-power field.
Results:
UGI endoscopy revealed typical endoscopic features of EoE in 47 patients. Esophageal
biopsy confirmed EoE in 18 (0.076%) cases (male – 77,7%, female – 22,3%). The average
age was 37.25 years (rank 21 – 67), 88.8% of patients were under 45 years of age.
Individuals with EoE suffered from dysphagia (61.1%), heartburn (50%), food impaction
(33.3%), and nursea (38.8%). 83.3% of EoE patients had a past history of gastroesophageal
reflux disease, 27.7% suffered from allergic rhinitis, 33.3% had atopic dermatitis,
11.1% -asthma. 1 patient had a family history of EoE (his sibling and mother also
suffered from dysphagia due to EoE).
Conclusions:
The prevalence of EoE among adult patients undergoing upper endoscopy in the Russian
Federation is 0.076% (1 case for 1319 UGI endoscopies). The characteristic findings
of EoE patients included predominantly male gender, age under 45 years and history
of atopic diseases.
