Histologic Response to Eosinophilic Esophagitis with Food Elimination Diet

A two-year elimination diet resulted in 40% of patients achieving histologic response and 20% maintaining it.

Although the pathogenesis of eosinophilic esophagitis is multifactorial, the clinical and histologic response to food elimination diets (FEDs) — particularly elimination of dairy, wheat, eggs, soy, nuts, and shellfish — supports the idea that antigenic sensitization is at play.

In the current retrospective single-institution cohort study, researchers analyzed 52 patients treated by extended FED (mean duration, 25 months). Histologic response was seen by 6 weeks after initial diet exclusion by formal targeted allergy testing (in 11), a six-food elimination diet (in 8), or a combination of those approaches (in 2).

Overall, 21 patients (40%) achieved a complete histologic response (defined as <15 eosinophils per high-power field). Subsequently, …

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