Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is considered a relatively new disease when compared to other gastrointestinal pathologies. But in the last decade, specialists have observed a exponential increase in the incidence and prevalence of this pathology worldwide.
So much so, that the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (SEAIC) estimates that in Spain it is chronic. affects more than 45,000 people.
The experts assure that It is a complex disease and its exact mechanism is not yet understood. completely.
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This is a buildup of a type of white blood cells (eosinophils) in the esophagus (the pathway that connects the mouth to the stomach), due to an allergy to a food or other allergen.
As indicated by the Dr. Joan Domenechallergist and member of the
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“This gives rise to a eosinophilic inflammation in the esophageal epithelium leading to dysfunction of the same, manifesting itself with the characteristic clinical symptoms of the disease.
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Currently, further research is required to clarify the underlying immunological and allergic processes in EoE and thus develop more precise and effective therapeutic approaches.”
Causes still undetermined
How do you explain the Dr. Rosario Gonzalezallergist and member of the SEAIC Eosinophilic Esophagitis subcommittee.
“Although it is true that no single definitive cause for eosinophilic esophagitis has been identified, it is believed that the combination of genetic and environmental factors plays an important role in its development. It has been suggested that changes in dietary habits, exposure to allergens, and genetic predisposition may contribute to its appearance.
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“In fact, It is being studied whether the increase in the use in recent decades of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers in the industrial production of food and the production of genetically modified crops, could be related to the increase in the development of food allergies”, adds this expert.
Symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis
As for the symptoms, the most common are:
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Problems swallowing ().
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Sensation that food is stuck in the esophagus after swallowing.
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Pain in the center of the chest, which can be confused with a heart attack.
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regurgitation
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Weightloss.
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Anemia.
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persistent cough
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vomiting
Why are allergists essential in the treatment of this disease?
Although it is a pathology that affects part of the digestive system, it is an allergic disease in which allergists play a fundamental role in both diagnosis and treatment.
They are best suited to evaluate and manage allergic reactions, and can also perform the necessary tests to identify possible allergic triggers.
In addition, it is these specialists who can recommend specific elimination diets based on allergy testing and provide management guidelines for symptom control.
But also, as the doctors remark:
“A large number of patients with EoE have other pathologies associated allergies, such as
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Asthma
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Rhinitis
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Dermatitis
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Food allergy, etc.
that require specialized diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. This association is due to genetic predisposition and the shared underlying immune response in these two conditions.”
However, allergists acknowledge that a multidisciplinary approach is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis, since it is a pathology that involves the gastrointestinal system and is associated with multiple symptoms and allergic complications of other types in a high number of cases.
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“It is essential to have collaboration between allergists, gastroenterologists, pathologists, psychologists and other specialists for comprehensive management.
“Each specialty contributes its experience to evaluate and treat specific aspects of the disease. Close communication between the health professionals involved is essential to achieve effective management of the disease,” the doctors insist.
How it is diagnosed and how it is treated
Once symptoms appear, the diagnosis of this allergic disease is made by performing a digestive endoscopy to collect samples from the esophagus that will be analyzed in order to determine the presence of eosinophil accumulation.
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, specialists in the disease have several therapeutic options depending on the patient.
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The first of these are changes in the diet, aimed at eliminating the food that is causing this allergic reaction.
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You can also resort to the use of corticosteroids, antihistamines or drugs designed to reduce stomach acidity. All of them are aimed at reducing inflammation of the esophagus.
disease investigation
Despite the increase in its incidence, much is still unknown about this disease. For this reason, SEAIC experts insist on the need to continue investigating this pathology.
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“In recent years we have focused our Efforts in trying to describe a possible allergic phenotype in patients with EoE. We have observed that sensitization to pan-allergens, pollen/food cross-reactivity phenomena and environmental allergies can play a very important role in the onset and evolution of the disease in a significant number of patients with this pathology.”
In this sense, the experts conclude that the identification of phenotypes in general and, more specifically, in diseases such as asthma or EoE is essential to be able to offer…