Are We Diagnosing Eosinophilic Esophagitis Consistently?

Despite 2007 published guidelines, use of variable diagnostic criteria persists.

Although consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) were published in 2007, adherence to these recommendations in the research literature has not been evaluated (Gastroenterol 2007; 133:1342).

To assess the extent of guideline adoption, two investigators independently searched the literature on EoE published from January 1, 2007, to June 30, 2010. Articles were rated as consistent with the 2007 guidelines if all three of the following criteria were present:

Symptoms of esophageal disease (i.e., dysphagia, food impaction, regurgitation, heartburn, chest pain, feeding intolerance, failure to thrive, or nausea/emesis)
Histological cutoff point of ≥15 eosinophils per high-power field (eos/hpf)
Exclusion o…

Reviewing Author

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors