A prospective open clinical trial of a proton pump inhibitor, elimination diet and/or budesonide for eosinophilic oesophagitis

Single-food elimination of cow's milk as a treatment for eosinophilic esophagitis in children aged 2-18 years: A review of the literature

Cow's milk elimination (CME) is an established treatment, similar to other forms of diet therapy, for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). However, there is limited research to support its efficacy as a primary treatment. This review evaluated studies published in the past 10 years that assessed the outcomes after CME on histologic remission, clinical findings, and quality of life (QoL) in children aged 2-18 years with EoE. The evidence demonstrated that CME was effective at achieving histologic remission of disease in 50%-65% of children. This intervention also improved clinical symptoms seen on endoscopy and resulted in increased QoL when self-reported by children. CME can be used as a primary treatment for some children with EoE.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Perceived Stigma in Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A Real-World, US, Web-Based Survey

Background and Aims

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is associated with impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and stigma perceptions. Therefore, we examined the real-world impact of EoE on the daily life and ability to function in adolescents (caregiver-reported) and adults with EoE in the United States of America in a noninterventional, cross-sectional, web-based survey.

Methods

HRQoL was assessed using the Short Form Health Survey (domains: vitality and social functioning) and the European Health Interview Survey (domain: sleep). Scores for the survey responses were on a scale of 0 to 100; higher scores indicated better performance in the HRQoL domain. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) short forms. Higher PROMIS scores indicated higher levels of anxiety and depression; a mean score of 50.0 was representative of the general population (individuals without EoE). The sources and impact of EoE-associated perceived stigma were also examined.

Results

Overall, 211 caregivers and 184 adults completed the survey. HRQoL scores were slightly higher for adolescents than adults with EoE (adolescent and adult scores, respectively: vitality, 50.3 and 36.1; social functioning, 64.0 and 62.4; and sleep, 55.7 and 52.0). Anxiety scores (adolescent and adult scores, respectively: 54.8 and 59.7) and depression scores (54.5 and 56.3) were higher in those with EoE than in the general population. Most participants reported experiencing perceived stigma, which was most commonly from family, friends, classmates, or health-care professionals.

Conclusion

Patients with EoE had poor HRQoL, which was demonstrated by the high EoE-associated emotional and psychological burdens and perceived stigma they experience.

Efficacy of Dietary Therapy for Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Children and Adults: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Several dietary approaches have been used to induce remission in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), yielding varied results.

METHODS

We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus databases up to May 2024 to identify studies including dietary interventions for EoE used as monotherapy. Summary estimates with 95% CIs for achieving <15 eosinophils/HPF were calculated for each approach. Fixed or random effects models were used depending on heterogeneity (I2); publication bias risks were assessed using funnel plot analyses. Subgroup analyses results were compared using meta-regression.

RESULTS

Forty-three studies with 2825 patients were included in quantitative summaries. The overall rate of histologic remission was 60.6% (95% CI, 54.6-66.5%). Effectiveness rates were 94.5% (95% CI, 92.3-96.4%) for elemental diets, 63.9% (95% CI, 58.5-69.2%) for six-food elimination diets, 54.7% (95% CI, 45.7-63.6%) for four-food elimination diets, 44.3% (95% CI, 36.1-52.8%) for two-food elimination diets, 46.4% (95% CI, 40-52.9%) for one-food elimination diets, and 39.5% (95% CI, 30.3-49.2%) for allergy testing-directed food elimination diets. Overall, superior efficacy was noted in children than in adults and in retrospective compared to prospective studies.

CONCLUSION

Diet therapy remains an effective therapeutic asset for pediatric and adult patients with EoE, with increasing efficacy noted as the levels of dietary restriction increase.

The 1st EoETALY Consensus on the Diagnosis and Management of Eosinophilic Esophagitis-Current Treatment and Monitoring

The present document constitutes Part 2 of the EoETALY Consensus Statements guideline on the diagnosis and management of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) developed by experts in the field of EoE across Italy (i.e., EoETALY Consensus Group). Part 1 was published as a different document, and included three chapters discussing 1) definition, epidemiology, and pathogenesis; 2) clinical presentation and natural history and 3) diagnosis of EoE. The present work provides guidelines on the management of EoE in two final chapters: 4) treatment and 5) monitoring and follow-up, and also includes considerations on knowledge gaps and a proposed research agenda for the coming years. The guideline was developed through a Delphi process, with grading of the strength and quality of the evidence of the recommendations performed according to accepted GRADE criteria.This document has received the endorsement of three Italian national societies including the Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE), the Italian Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (SINGEM), and the Italian Society of Allergology, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology (SIAAIC). The guidelines also involved the contribution of members of ESEO Italia, the Italian Association of Families Against EoE.

Changes in mucosal IgG4+- and IL-10+-cell frequencies in adults with eosinophilic esophagitis on a two-food elimination diet

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is increasingly diagnosed in patients with dysphagia. Type-2 immunity can induce EoE histopathology via non-IgE-dependent mechanisms, possibly involving IgG4 and IL-10. To elucidate the contribution of this response to EoE pathogenesis, we examined its association with clinical and histologic endpoints in adult EoE patients given a two-food elimination diet. IgG4- and IL-10-expressing cells were counted in esophageal biopsies and serum food-specific IgG4 measured at baseline and follow-up. Variables were correlated with histologic measures of disease activity. Patients exhibited significant reduction in esophageal eosinophilia and overall histology. A significant decrease in IL-10+-cell frequencies correlated with histologic changes. In contrast, a decline in serum and esophageal IgG4, while substantial, did not correlate with IL-10+-cell frequencies or histologic parameters. These results suggest a critical role of IL-10 in EoE pathogenesis. Conversely, IgG4 expression, while reflecting exposure to food antigens, is not obviously related to EoE histopathology or IL-10 expression.

Elimination Diet or Swallowed Topical Steroid Treatment of Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Five-Year Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, antigen-mediated disease of the esophagus commonly treated with swallowed topical steroids (STS) or elimination diets (EDs). Evidence of a long-term response to EDs in pediatric patients is sparse.

OBJECTIVE

Our study sought to understand the natural history of pediatric EoE treated exclusively with EDs and to examine a similar population of STS-treated EoE subjects. We hypothesized that long-term adherence to an effective ED would result in ongoing EoE disease remission.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of pediatric EoE subjects who had at least 2 visits to a multidisciplinary clinic. Subjects were identified who had (1) a new referral with a suspected diagnosis of EoE; (2) received either EDs or STS alone, and (3) completed both a diagnostic and a posttreatment endoscopy. Concomitant proton-pump inhibitor use was allowed. We collected demographics, clinical features, treatment plans, and associated side effects on each subject. Remission was defined as fewer than 15 eosinophils/high-powered field.

RESULTS

We screened the electronic medical record from 2015 to 2016 for subjects cared for in the Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Diseases Program who fit criteria for inclusion in this analysis. One hundred ninety-nine subjects were identified, 16 who received exclusive EDs and 15 who were treated with STS. Treatment of these subjects was documented for 4.8 and 5.2 years, respectively (P = .51). Significant differences between the groups were observed in average age at EoE diagnosis (3.5 y ED vs 7.8 y STS; P = .002) and in number of endoscopies (6.6 in ED vs 4.5 in STS; P = .03). Fifteen of 16 subjects treated with ED attained histological remission. The initial effective ED removed a mean of 7.7 foods and the final ED removed a mean of 4 foods. No food impactions or esophageal dilations occurred in the ED group. The STS group required an average of 3.7 dose/formulation changes, 4 subjects required 1 or more dilations, 1 subject had 2 food impactions, and 2 were diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with either ED or STS can lead to long-term remission of EoE. In this study, fewer side effects developed in the ED group than the STS group, but the validity of this conclusion is limited by the small sample size and reinforces the need for prospective study to explore these initial findings.

New approaches to diet therapy for eosinophilic esophagitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

An empiric step-up (2-4-6) elimination diet remains the most common dietary approach in clinical practice when treating eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). However, research in this field has fallen behind pharmacological therapy. This review aims to summarize novel approaches to dietary therapy for EoE.

RECENT FINDINGS

A first prospective multicenter study in 41 pediatric patients (mean age 9 years) has evaluated the efficacy of a cow's milk elimination diet. This dietary approach led to histological remission in 51% of patients, albeit a caveat is that up to 80% of patients were receiving concomitant therapy with proton pump inhibitors. In a series of 18 adult patients with documented milk-induced EoE, ingestión of 400 ml of sterilized milk (boiled for up to 20 min) daily for 8 weeks did not induce histologic relapse in two-thirds of patients.

SUMMARY

Milk elimination diet is effective in one-half of pediatric EoE patients and should likely be the first choice in children with EoE (within a step-up dietary approach). Promising data on tolerance of sterilized milk in adults with milk-induced EoE (66%) merit further replication in children, which may radically improve quality of life for patients and their caregivers.

Food elimination diets in eosinophilic esophagitis: Practical tips in current management and future directions

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, antigen-mediated disease of the esophagus characterized by symptoms of esophageal dysfunction and an eosinophil-predominant inflammation. Seminal reports identified the role of food allergens in the pathogenesis of the disease by demonstrating that food avoidance could lead to the resolution of esophageal eosinophilia in EoE patients. Although pharmacological treatments for EoE are increasingly being investigated, the exclusion of trigger foods from the diet still represents a valuable option for patients to achieve and maintain disease remission without drugs. Food elimination diets are variegated, and one size does not fit all. Accordingly, before starting any elimination diet, patients' characteristics should be thoroughly evaluated, and a rigorous management plan should be defined. This review provides practical tips and considerations to succeed in the management of EoE patients undergoing food elimination diets, as well as recent advances and future perspectives on food avoidance strategies.

Efficacy of Elimination Diets in Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) can be treated by proton pump inhibitors, topical corticosteroids, or dietary measures. This study systematically assessed the efficacy of 4 major dietary treatment regimens in EoE, updating the evidence presented in a meta-analysis from 2014.

METHODS

Electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, and other sources were searched up to September 2022 to identify studies on dietary treatment of EoE. Based on histologic remission criteria, the efficacy of these treatments was pooled and analyzed with respect to the type of dietary regimen: 6-food elimination diet (SFED), 4-food elimination diet (FFED), 1-food elimination diet (OFED), and a targeted elimination diet (TED). Clinical response rates, food sensitization, and efficacies for a pediatric subpopulation were calculated. Influencing variables on efficacies were estimated via meta-regression analyses.

RESULTS

Thirty-four studies with 1762 patients met the inclusion criteria. The overall rate of histologic remission was 53.8% (95% CI, 48.0%-59.6%), and in the individual dietary groups was 61.3% (95% CI, 53.0%-69.3%) for SFED, 49.4% (95% CI, 32.5%-66.3%) for FFED, 51.4% (95% CI, 42.6%-60.1%) for OFED, and 45.7% (95% CI, 32.0%-59.7%) for TED. Dietary regimen and patient age did not significantly affect rates of histologic remission. The overall rate of clinical response was 80.8% (95% CI, 72.3%-88.2%), with response rates of 92.8% (95% CI, 81.2%-99.6%) for SFED, 74.1% (95% CI, 49.8%-92.6%) for FFED, 87.1% (95% CI, 58.4%-99.9%) for OFED, and 69.0% (95% CI, 50.2%85.3%) for TED.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary therapy is an effective treatment for EoE patients of any age. The current results could support a trend toward less-restrictive dietary regimens as a primary treatment option.

Long-Term Outcomes of the Six-Food Elimination Diet and Food Reintroduction in a Large Cohort of Adults With Eosinophilic Esophagitis

INTRODUCTION

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an immune-mediated inflammatory condition with tissue eosinophilia resulting in esophageal dysfunction. The six-food elimination diet (SFED) is an EoE treatment approach that removes milk, wheat, soy, eggs, tree nuts/peanuts, and fish/shellfish. After histologic remission, food reintroduction occurs to identify a food trigger. Outcomes from large series of adults undergoing SFED and food reintroduction as clinical care are not known.

METHODS

A retrospective review (2006-2021) of adult patients with EoE from an academic center was completed. Patients were classified as full responders (<15 eos/hpf) after SFED. If reintroduction was pursued, food triggers identified were recorded.

RESULTS

Two hundred thirteen patients completed SFED. One hundred fifteen patients (54%) had response <15 eos/hpf after SFED. Seventy-seven percent of responders had symptom improvement. Thirty-two percent of initial nonresponders underwent repeat dietary elimination. Fifty-eight percent of patients (n = 123) achieved <15 eos/hpf after either initial or extended SFED. Seventy-eight percent of responders underwent food reintroduction. Sixty-nine percent had 1 food trigger identified, 24% had 2 allergens identified, and 4% had 3 allergens identified. The most common food triggers identified were milk, wheat, and soy.

DISCUSSION

This study describes the largest cohort reported of adult patients with EoE completing SFED with food reintroduction. The overall SFED histologic response was 54%, which increased to 58% with 1 additional round of dietary therapy, suggesting that 31% may respond in a second attempt. Most patients who completed food reintroduction had a single food trigger identified. Dietary elimination with specific food trigger identification is a feasible alternative to medical therapy for adults with EoE.

A New Viscous Budesonide Formulation for the Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Children: A Preliminary Experience and Review of the Literature

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic disease, characterized clinically by esophageal disfunction. Topical corticosteroids (tCS), predominantly fluticasone and budesonide, are considered the effective first line treatment, as well as an option of maintenance therapy in EoE. The way that tCS are administered significantly affects their effectiveness. There is still no ready-to-use steroid drug to be applied topically to the esophagus in children-a few experimental viscous slurries (mainly of budesonide) have been shown in trials to be more effective than steroids administered via metered dose inhalers (MDIs) and swallowed. The best examined steroid solvent of all is sucralose, a high-intensity artificial sweetener. Although it has been shown in a critical review that it is non-toxic and safe for all consumers, there are still some concerns among patients about its potential adverse effect on humans. Due to that fact, we developed a new viscous formulation and evaluated its effectiveness in the treatment of children with EoE. In an open, prospective, single-center study, we administered our new formulation of viscous budesonide twice daily for 8 weeks in patients with an active EoE. After treatment, we performed a control gastroscopy with the collection and evaluation of histopathological samples. We have proven our formulation effectiveness at 64%, as far as histological remission is concerned. We have also shown a reduction in the mean endoscopic reference score (EREFS) from 3.1 points at the beginning of the study to 1.6 points at the end of the study. Bearing in mind how important the acceptance of the solvent is for long-time compliance, especially among children, we also decided to assess the taste of the formulation. Therefore, we asked 46 adults and 10 children to swallow a sample of the solvent and fill in a short anonymous questionnaire about its taste, smell, consistency and easiness of swallowing. General acceptance for the proprietary solvent was high, reaching 7.5/10 among adults and 6.5/10 in children. To be able to compare the results of our preliminary experience, we reviewed the studies which evaluated substances that have been used so far as steroid solvents for the treatment of EoE. The overall effectiveness of the oral viscous budesonide (OVB) ranged from 65% to 90%, which is consistent with the results obtained in our study. Unfortunately, the high heterogeneity of the studies did not allow us to draw reliable conclusions.

Current treatment options and long-term outcomes in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis

INTRODUCTION

Dietary and pharmacological (proton pump inhibitors, swallowed topical corticosteroids) therapies are effective for induction of clinical and histological remission of eosinophilic esophagitis. However, data evaluating their long-term efficacy and safety is limited.

AREAS COVERED

Since eosinophilic esophagitis is chronic, clinical, endoscopic, and histological features usually recur when successful treatments are stopped. In untreated patients, persistent esophageal eosinophilic inflammation may progress to fibrostenosis over time, giving place to strictures and narrow-caliber esophagi. This article comprehensively reviews available data on long-term maintenance of eosinophilic esophagitis with pharmacological and dietary treatment. It also discusses limitations re: available literature and outlines data gaps on adherence to therapy and monitoring disease activity in the long-term.

EXPERT OPINION

Evidence indicates that long-term maintenance therapy may decrease the risk of esophageal stricture, food bolus impaction, and need for dilation in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis. Further knowledge on eosinophilic esophagitis phenotypes is needed to ascertain who will benefit best from sustained therapy. Unanswered questions include an adequate definition for sustained remission, best strategies for maintenance drugs and diets, enhancement of treatment adherence, and proper monitoring for long-term surveillance.

Nutritional and Psychological Considerations for Dietary Therapy in Eosinophilic Esophagitis

The step-up empiric elimination diet, starting from one/two food groups of most local allergens remains the current gold standard for a dietary approach in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) patients. Milk, followed by wheat and egg, is the most frequent food that triggers EoE in pediatric and adult patients. Elimination diets, with restrictions over four food groups, may be limited to highly motivated patients, in which nutritional counseling is recommended. Malnourishment is uncommon in EoE patients and likely multifactorial (concomitant gastrointestinal eosinophilic disorders or IgE-mediated food allergies, feeding difficulties, abnormal feeding behavior). Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in EoE children on highly restrictive diets was lately described and may warrant specific psychological support. As for adults, quality of life may be impaired by symptom severity and dietary restrictions, aside from recently reported food impaction-related specific anxiety in up to 43% of patients. Severe symptoms, feeding dysfunction, and diet restrictions may negatively influence psychosocial adjustment for patients and their caregivers.

Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy for Eosinophilic Esophagitis: History, Mechanisms, Efficacy, and Future Directions

Over the past decade, the role of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medication has evolved from a diagnostic tool for Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), by excluding patients with PPI responsive esophageal eosinophilia (PPI-REE), to a therapy for EoE. This transition resulted from the Updated International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria for Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Proceedings of the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE) Conference to support PPI therapy for EoE in children and adults. Additional recent advances have suggested a role for genetic variations that might impact response to PPI therapy for EoE. This review article will explore a brief background of EoE, the evolution of PPI therapy for EoE and its proposed mechanisms, efficacy and safety in children and adults, and considerations for future PPI precision medicine in patients with EoE.

Evidence-based treatments for eosinophilic esophagitis: insights for the clinician

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by symptoms of esophageal dysfunction and eosinophil-predominant inflammation. Left untreated, EoE progresses to fibrous remodeling and stricture formation that impairs quality of life. Therefore, EoE requires either repeated treatments or maintenance therapy. Current guidelines recommend swallowed topical corticosteroids (STCs), proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), or dietary intervention as initial options to induce and maintain long-term disease remission. Impractical exclusive elemental diets and suboptimal allergy testing-directed food avoidance paved the way for empirical elimination diets. These are moderately effective and highly reproducible in inducing EoE remission and allow for identification of specific food triggers. Step-up strategies, including two- and four-food rather than six-food elimination diets, should be considered as initial approaches for dietary treatment in patients of all ages, as they reduce the need for endoscopic procedures, shorten diagnostic processing time, and avoid unnecessary restrictions. Formulations of STC originally designed for asthma therapy are suboptimal for EoE treatment, with new effervescent orodispersible tablets and viscose formulations designed to coat the esophageal mucosa providing increased effectiveness at reduced doses. The anti-inflammatory effects of PPI in EoE are independent from gastric acid secretion inhibition; despite evidence from observational research, PPIs are the most commonly prescribed first-line therapy for EoE due to their accessibility, low cost, and safety profile. Double doses of PPI only induce remission in half of EoE patients, irrespective of the drug used or patients' age. Inflammatory rather than stricturing EoE phenotype and treatment duration up to 12 weeks increase chances of achieving EoE remission. Most responders effectively maintain long-term remission with standard PPI doses. Finally, endoscopic dilation should be considered in patients with reduced esophageal caliber or persistent dysphagia despite histological remission. This article provides a state-of-the-art review and updated discussion of current therapies and newly developed options for EoE.

Cost and accessibility of empiric food elimination diets for treatment of eosinophilic oesophagitis

AIM

This study aimed to investigate and compare the cost, affordability, and accessibility of three elimination diet approaches for the treatment of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis: the two-, four- and six-food elimination diets and with comparison to a standard diet.

METHODS

An evidence-based modelling process was undertaken for costing and accessibility, including the development of three hypothetical reference families; four food baskets were modified from an established benchmark for each diet. Baskets were costed across eastern Melbourne, Australia. Affordability was modelled using two incomes: the equivalised disposable household income and welfare payments for reference families. Affordability was defined as <30% of the median weekly household income and food stress defined as >25% of a median weekly household income.

RESULTS

All elimination diets were significantly more expensive than a standard diet and may be unaffordable for those receiving welfare. Prices significantly increased as the number of food allergens eliminated increased. Most items for a two-food elimination diet were available at major supermarkets; however, items for nutritionally complete four- and six-food elimination diets required a visit to a second store.

CONCLUSION

A step-up approach, commencing with a two-food elimination diet, instead of starting with a six-food elimination diet, may alleviate affordability barriers for most family types, which may enhance compliance. Clinicians should consider family type, financial situation, as well as accessibility of allergen-free foods in the patient's residential area when deciding on the most appropriate dietary or therapeutic treatment approach for eosinophilic oesophagitis.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis and IgG4: Is There a Relationship?

Our knowledge of the pathophysiology of eosinophilic esophagitis is constantly evolving. There is significant association between eosinophilic esophagitis and atopy; however, multiple studies have refuted the role of IgE in its pathogenesis. Instead, new data have demonstrated an elevated IgG4 level in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis. We review the current understanding of eosinophilic esophagitis pathogenesis and highlight the increasing evidence for the role of IgG4.

Impact of food challenge on local oesophageal immunophenotype in eosinophilic oesophagitis

BACKGROUND

Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is caused by the ingestion of food antigens. Dietary avoidance can result in clinical and histological remission, while food reintroduction can cause recurrence. It is uncertain if food antigen processing and immune activation occurs locally, in the oesophagus. Therefore, we performed a comparative study of the density of cell surface proteins (known to be involved with antigen presentation) on oesophageal tissue prior to, and following food antigen induced disease recurrence. A secondary aim was to consider novel biomarkers.

METHOD

Adult patients with a diagnosis of EoE, who had achieved histological remission with an elimination diet (<15 eosinophils per high power field at oesophageal biopsy), and who underwent food challenge with proven recurrence were included. Immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence for CD1a, CD3, CD28, CD40, CD69, CD80, CD138, CXCR3 and HLA-DR was performed. Staining intensity of each biomarker (pixels/mm² ) was quantified by semi-automated analysis (Studio-FL software).

RESULTS

Fourteen cases of EoE (pre and post food challenge), 6 GORD and 5 healthy controls were included. HLA-DR, CD3, CD28, CD40 and CD 138 significantly increased with food reintroduction (P = <0.05). CD1a, CD 69, CD 80 and CXCR3 did not measurably change.

CONCLUSION

The presence of cell surface proteins typically associated with antigen presentation (following food antigen induced recurrence) suggests immune activation occurs in the oesophagus, and the relative lack of langerhans cells (CD1a) may indicate this cell type is unimportant. The cell surface protein CD 138 increases with disease recurrence, is not elevated in GORD or healthy controls, and has promise as a biomarker.

Dietary Management of Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Tailoring the Approach

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a unique form of non-immunoglobulin E-mediated food allergy, restricted to the esophagus, characterized by esophageal eosinophil-predominant inflammation and dysfunction. The diagnosis requires an esophago-gastroduodenoscopy with esophageal biopsies demonstrating active eosinophilic inflammation with 15 or more eosinophils/high-power field, following the exclusion of alternative causes of eosinophilia. Food allergens trigger the disease, withdairy/milk, wheat/gluten, egg, soy/legumes, and seafood the most common. Therapeutic strategies comprise dietary restrictions, proton pump inhibitors, topical corticosteroids, biologic agents, and esophageal dilation when strictures are present. However, avoidance of trigger foods remains the only option targeting the cause, and not the effect, of the disease. Because EoE relapses when treatment is withdrawn, dietary therapy offers a long-term, drug-free alternative to patients who wish to remain off drugs and still be in remission. There are currently multiple dietary management strategies to choose from, each having its specific efficacy, advantages, and disadvantages that both clinicians and patients should acknowledge. In addition, dietary regimens should be tailored around each individual patient to increase the chance of tolerability and long-term adherence. In general, liquid elemental diets devoid of antigens and elimination diets restricting causative foods are valuable options. Designing diets on the basis of food allergy skin tests results is not reliable and should be avoided. This review summarizes the most recent knowledge regarding the clinical use of dietary measures in EoE. We discussed endpoints, rationale, advantages and disadvantages, and tailoring of diets, as well as currently available dietary regimens for EoE.

Dietary Management of Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Man Versus Food or Food Versus Man?

An alternative to pharmacologic management of eosinophilic esophagitis, elimination of food antigens for diet therapy is an effective first-line treatment strategy to induce and maintain symptomatic, histologic, and endoscopic disease remission. The 3 dietary strategies for eosinophilic esophagitis include elemental diet, empiric elimination diet, and targeted elimination diet. We review the studies supporting various diet therapy strategies, practical considerations and challenges for applying an elimination diet, and novel testing to identify triggers and optimize food reintroduction.

Nutritional approach to eosinophilic esophagitis: which diet and when

Dietary elimination therapy has been for a long time an option for patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and remains the only therapy targeting the cause of the disease. Different dietary approaches have been described along the last 3 decades, and cumulative evidence has defined the effectiveness and usefulness of each approach. Elemental diets are highly effective to induce EoE remission, but unpractical in most patients. Allergy testing-directed food restrictions resulted inefficient to induce remission in a significant proportion of patients (especially adults) and show a low concordance with the dietary causes of EoE. Empiric elimination diets are currently considered the most effective drug-free treatment for patients of all ages with EoE, after widely providing reproducible results. Highly restrictive empiric six-food elimination diets have paved the way to most efficient and less restrictive step-up approaches, which now include four-food and two-food elimination diets. The potential role of milk-elimination, especially in children, should be also considered. Multiple factors including demographics, nutritional status, patient and family lifestyles, social and financial support, and acceptance of repeated endoscopies influence the results of dietary therapy. Dietary therapy in EoE should be patient centered, and the patients and/or their families together with the medical provider should participate in the decision to set up this treatment. This article updates recent knowledge on dietary therapy for EoE and provides guideline to choose the most suitable alternative for patients with EoE, as well as practical tips to achieve the best results in clinical practice.

Red Between the Lines: Evolution of Eosinophilic Esophagitis as a Distinct Clinicopathologic Syndrome

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the esophageal mucosa and symptoms of esophageal dysfunction, including dysphagia. While EoE is still considered a rare disease, in practice it seems that more and more cases are diagnosed every week, research in the field is exploding, and the pipeline for treatments contains multiple agents, some of which are quite far along the development pathway. After only scattered cases and small series were published in the late 1970s and 1980, Stephen Attwood, Thomas Smyrk, Tom DeMeester, and James Jones, published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences in 1993 a seminal report that described a clinicopathologic syndrome of esophageal eosinophilia with dysphagia. This review details the origins of this paper and compares and contrast what was observed then and what is known now about multiple aspects of EoE, including the clinical presentation, diagnosis, epidemiology, natural history, and treatments and outcomes. Moreover, it will highlight how the paper presaged a number of controversies in the field that have yet to be resolved, as well as foreshadowed the collaborative, multidisciplinary approach that has led to rapid advances.

Dietary therapy for eosinophilic esophagitis: chances and limitations in the clinical practice

INTRODUCTION

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a non-Immunoglobulin E-mediated food allergy that currently represents the main cause of dysphagia and food impaction in children and young adults. Diet remains the only therapy targeting the cause of the disease. Relevant advances in recent years allow novel approaches to dietary therapy in EoE.

AREAS COVERED

An up-to-date review on dietary therapy for EoE is provided, as a potential first-line anti-inflammatory therapy able to induce and maintain remission in a significant proportion of patients. Unpractical elemental diets and suboptimal food allergy testing-directed food restrictions paved the way for empiric elimination diets, which currently are to be considered as the most effective drug-free treatment for EoE. After largely restrictive empiric six-food elimination diets, most efficient step-up approaches now include four-food and two-food elimination diets. The potential of milk-elimination is also discussed.

EXPERT COMMENTARY

An empiric elimination diet step-up strategy should be currently considered as the initial approach for dietary treatment in EoE patients of all ages. Compared to a top-down strategy, step-up diets reduce the need for endoscopic procedures, shorten diagnostic process times, and avoid unnecessary restrictions. Furthermore, early identification of responders with few food triggers may select best candidates for maintenance dietary therapy.

A Novel Allergen-Specific Immune Signature-Directed Approach to Dietary Elimination in Eosinophilic Esophagitis

OBJECTIVES:

Dietary elimination for treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is limited by lack of accuracy in current allergy tests. We aimed to develop an immunologic approach to identify dietary triggers and prospectively test allergen-specific immune signature-guided dietary elimination therapy.

METHODS:

In the first phase, we developed and assessed 2 methods for determining selected food triggers using samples from 24 adults with EoE: a CD4+ T-cell proliferation assay in peripheral blood and food-specific tissue IgG4 levels in esophageal biopsies. In the second phase, we clinically tested elimination diets created from these methods in a prospective cohort treated for 6 weeks (NCT02722148). Outcomes included peak eosinophil counts (eos/hpf), endoscopic findings (measured by the EoE Endoscopic Reference Score), and symptoms (measured by the EoE Symptom Activity Index).

RESULTS:

Parameters were optimized with a positive test on either assay, yielding agreements of 60%, 75%, 53%, 58%, and 53% between predicted and known triggers of peanut, egg, soy, wheat, and milk, respectively. In clinical testing, the mean number of foods eliminated based on the assays was 3.4, and 19 of 22 subjects were compliant with treatment. After treatment, median peak eosinophil counts decreased from 75 to 35 (P = 0.007); there were 4 histologic responders (21%). The EoE Endoscopic Reference Score and EoE Symptom Activity Index score also decreased after treatment (4.6 vs 3.0; P = 0.002; and 32.5 vs 25.0; P = 0.06, respectively).

DISCUSSION:

We successfully developed a new testing approach using CD4⁺ T-cell proliferation and esophageal food-specific IgG4 levels, with promising accuracy rates. In clinical testing, this led to improvement in eosinophil counts, endoscopic severity, and symptoms of dysphagia, but a smaller than expected number of patients achieved histologic remission.

Eosinophilic oesophagitis: recent advances and practical management

Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is a disease identified just over 30 years ago. The main symptom is dysphagia. EoE is initially inflammatory and progresses to fibrosis. There are differences in clinical presentation between young children and adults. Diagnosis is by endoscopy and six biopsies at varying positions of the oesophageal lining. Blood tests are of no diagnostic value as the condition is mediated by IgG₄ local mucosal pathology. Endoscopic signs are distinct from those of gastro-oesophageal reflux. Histological signs of EoE are >15 eosinophils/high-power field on a background of hyperplastic mucosa. Options of therapy include diet restriction, proton pump inhibitors therapy and topical steroids but there is a dearth of randomised control trials to define the optimum approach. The only licenced therapy for EoE is budesonide orodispersible tablet, a specific formulation for oesophageal topical steroid therapy. EoE is the most common cause of spontaneous perforation in the oesophagus. Stricture formation occurs in up to 10% and may require therapeutic dilatation.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Update on Diagnosis and Treatment in Pediatric Patients

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disorder characterized by symptomatic esophageal dysfunction and an eosinophil-predominant inflammation of the esophagus. EoE arises from interaction between genetic and environmental factors. In pediatric patients, clinical manifestations vary depending on age, from a gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-like condition to severe dysphagic symptoms. Upper endoscopy is considered the gold standard for diagnosis and monitoring of EoE; however, significant efforts are underway to identify noninvasive diagnostic tools and biomarkers to avoid repetitive invasive procedures. Therapeutic first-line options currently available for EoE are elimination diets, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and steroids. The aim of treatment is to improve clinical symptoms while obtaining mucosal healing and avoiding long-term complications. Dietary treatment options comprise different empiric diets or an exclusively amino acid formula. Despite the efficacy of diets, compliance is often challenging. PPIs and topical steroids represent the main pharmacological options for EoE, and both can induce and maintain remission. Topical steroids have been reported as more effective, but data on long-term safety remain insufficient for both these and PPIs. Endoscopic dilations are currently reserved for severe untreated fibrostenotic disease unresponsive to medical therapies. Several biologic agents are available but not yet approved for EoE.

Technical review on the management of eosinophilic esophagitis: a report from the AGA institute and the joint task force on allergy-immunology practice parameters

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the esophagus. Many new studies have been reported recently that describe EoE management. An expert panel was convened by the American Gastroenterological Association Institute and the Joint Task Force on Allergy-Immunology Practice Parameters to provide a technical review to be used as the basis for an updated clinical guideline. This technical review was developed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. Eighteen focused EoE management questions were considered, with 15 answered using the GRADE framework and 3 with a narrative summary. There is moderate certainty in the evidence that topical glucocorticosteroids effectively reduce esophageal eosinophil counts to <15 per high-power field over a short-term treatment period of 4-12 weeks, but very low certainty about the effects of using topical glucocorticosteroids as maintenance therapy. Multiple dietary strategies may be effective in reducing esophageal eosinophil counts to <15 per high-power field over a short-term treatment period, with moderate certainty for elemental diets, low certainty for empiric 2-, 4-, and 6-food elimination diets, and very low certainty that allergy-based testing dietary eliminations have a higher failure rate compared to empiric diet elimination. There is very low certainty for the effect of proton pump inhibitors in patients with esophageal eosinophilia. Although esophageal dilation appears to be relatively safe, there is no evidence that it reduces esophageal eosinophil counts. There is very low certainty in the effects of multiple other medical treatments for EoE: anti-interleukin-5 therapy, anti-interleukin-13 therapy, anti-IgE therapy, montelukast, cromolyn, and anti-TNF therapy.

Technical Review on the Management of Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A Report From the AGA Institute and the Joint Task Force on Allergy-Immunology Practice Parameters

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the esophagus. Many new studies have been reported recently that describe EoE management. An expert panel was convened by the American Gastroenterological Association Institute and the Joint Task Force on Allergy-Immunology Practice Parameters to provide a technical review to be used as the basis for an updated clinical guideline. This technical review was developed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. Eighteen focused EoE management questions were considered, with 15 answered using the GRADE framework and 3 with a narrative summary. There is moderate certainty in the evidence that topical glucocorticosteroids effectively reduce esophageal eosinophil counts to <15 per high-power field over a short-term treatment period of 4-12 weeks, but very low certainty about the effects of using topical glucocorticosteroids as maintenance therapy. Multiple dietary strategies may be effective in reducing esophageal eosinophil counts to <15 per high-power field over a short-term treatment period, with moderate certainty for elemental diets, low certainty for empiric 2-, 4-, and 6-food elimination diets, and very low certainty that allergy-based testing dietary eliminations have a higher failure rate compared to empiric diet elimination. There is very low certainty for the effect of proton pump inhibitors in patients with esophageal eosinophilia. Although esophageal dilation appears to be relatively safe, there is no evidence that it reduces esophageal eosinophil counts. There is very low certainty in the effects of multiple other medical treatments for EoE: anti-interleukin-5 therapy, anti-interleukin-13 therapy, anti-IgE therapy, montelukast, cromolyn, and anti-TNF therapy.

Dietary treatment of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders in children

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To provide an overview of recent developments on dietary treatment of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGID) in children.

RECENT FINDINGS

Food antigens are the main triggers of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE); however, currently available allergy tests cannot reliably identify eliciting antigens. Studies evaluating the six-food empiric elimination diet (6FED-milk, wheat/gluten, egg, soy/legumes, nuts and fish/seafood) have shown histological remission rates of 72%. Milk, egg, wheat/gluten, and, to a lesser extent, soy/legumes were the most frequent food triggers with only one or two culprit foods identified for most patients. A 4-food elimination strategy afforded a 64% remission rate. A step-up two-four-six food elimination diet generated a 43% remission rate at the two-food elimination stage, and similar reported rates for 4FED and 6FED. Endoscopic procedures were reduced by a 20% compared with 6FED. In a prospective study including 63 children, exclusive milk elimination has been effective in 44% of them. Controlled elimination and reintroduction with histological assessment is necessary.

SUMMARY

Dietary therapy of EoE has evolved from more restrictive to less restrictive diets to provide better balance between efficacy vs. nutritional deficiencies and quality of life. Data on efficacy of dietary therapy in other EGIDs are very scarce.

Randomised clinical trial: the safety and tolerability of fluticasone propionate orally disintegrating tablets versus placebo for eosinophilic oesophagitis

BACKGROUND

APT-1011, a fluticasone propionate orally disintegrating tablet formulation, is under investigation for the treatment of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE).

AIMS

To evaluate the safety and tolerability of APT-1011 administered to patients with EoE and to assess the effect on clinical symptoms of EoE, endoscopic appearance and oesophageal eosinophilia.

METHODS

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, phase 1b/2a study was conducted at seven medical centres in the US to evaluate the safety and tolerability of APT-1011 over 8 weeks in adults and adolescents with EoE. Participants were randomised to placebo (n = 8), 1.5 mg APT-1011 BID (n = 8) or 3.0 mg APT-1011 QD (n = 8). Safety and tolerability were assessed as the primary outcome; histologic and endoscopic measures were assessed as exploratory outcomes.

RESULTS

There were no deaths, serious treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), severe TEAEs or discontinuations from the study related to a TEAE. In one participant randomised to 1.5 mg APT-1011 BID, a reduction in cortisol was observed, but without evidence of adrenal insufficiency. Compared with placebo, treatment with APT-1011 resulted in greater reductions in oesophageal eosinophil counts, EoE Endoscopic Reference Score, patient global assessment and symptom-based EoE activity index from baseline to end of treatment (Week 8).

CONCLUSIONS

APT-1011 was safe and well tolerated in adolescents and adults with EoE. Exploratory efficacy outcomes demonstrated improvement in histologic and endoscopic findings as well evidence of symptom improvement. The results of this study support the continued development of APT-1011 for the treatment of EoE (NCT-01386112).

A Conceptual Approach to Understanding Treatment Response in Eosinophilic Esophagitis

While the diagnosis and initial treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis are becoming more standardized, there are still major gaps in knowledge related to measuring treatment response. One such question centers on how to measure treatment response and what treatment endpoints should be. This impacts not only patient care and engagement in decision-making, but also the field of drug development. In addition, studies so far have use a myriad of treatment endpoints including over a dozen histologic endpoint criteria. This review will discuss the various stakeholders involved in assessment of treatment endpoints of a complex condition, including patients, practitioners and regulatory agencies, and the care settings in which treatment response is assessed, including routine clinical care, clinical trials, and observational studies. Potential parameters or treatment endpoints such as histology, symptoms, patient-reported outcomes, endoscopy, and biomarkers are discussed along with associated challenges and opportunities. A framework on how to define treatment outcomes is discussed and a conceptual approach treatment response is proposed. This takes into account histology, symptoms, and endoscopic findings and harnesses existing, validated tools. It includes definitions of nonresponse, complete normalization, and a graded response category between these 2 extremes, and also permits flexibility and latitude for modifications as newer knowledge emerges. In addition, ways to position the pediatric population in these endeavors are discussed as are future research directions.

Illuminating Elimination Diets: Controversies Regarding Dietary Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an immune-mediated disease triggered by food antigens for which dietary elimination treatment can induce and sustain histologic remission. Our review aims to describe the state of the art regarding dietary treatment of EoE, highlighting a number of areas of controversy related to dietary therapy in EoE, including novel modalities for determining food triggers, making the empiric dietary elimination process more efficient, issues of cross-contamination and "dosing" of how much food to avoid or add back, costs and effects on quality of life, long-term efficacy, and the risk of developing immediate IgE-type reactions after initial dietary elimination. Elemental formulas, empiric elimination diets, and targeted allergy test-directed elimination diets are well-described treatments for EoE. Although elemental diets are most efficacious, their clinical use is limited by cost and the palatability of an exclusively liquid diet. While empiric elimination is less effective than elemental formula-based diets, they are more easily implemented and often sustainable. Since the comparative effectiveness of elimination diets with proton-pump inhibitors and swallowed topical steroids remains unknown, there are multiple areas to address with future research.

Model to Determine the Optimal Dietary Elimination Strategy for Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Elimination diets are effective treatments for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), but foods that activate esophagitis are identified empirically, via a process that involves multiple esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGDs). No optimized approach has been developed to identify foods that activate EoE. We aimed to compare clinical strategies to provide data to guide treatment.

METHODS

We developed a computer-based simulation model to determine promising empiric elimination strategies based on reported prevalence values for foods that activate EoE. We conducted a review, searching PubMed through October 1, 2017, for prospective and retrospective studies of EoE and diet. Each patient in our simulated cohort was assigned a profile comprising as many as 12 foods known to induce EoE, including dairy, wheat, eggs, soy, nuts, seafood, beef, corn, chicken, potato, pork, and/or rice. To balance the strategy success rate with the number of EGDs required for food identification, we applied an efficiency frontier approach. Strategies on the frontier were the most efficient, requiring fewer EGDs for higher or equivalent success rates relative to their comparable, neighboring strategies.

RESULTS

In all simulations, we found the 1,4,8-food and 1,3-food strategies to be the most efficient in identifying foods that induce EoE, resulting in the highest rate of the correct identification of food triggers balanced by the number of EGDs required to complete the food elimination strategy. Both strategies begin with elimination of dairy; if EoE remission is not achieved, the 1,3 diet proceeds to eliminate wheat and eggs in addition to dairy, and the 1,4,8 strategy removes wheat, eggs, dairy, and soy. In the case of persistent EoE after the second round of food elimination, the 1,3-food strategy terminates, whereas the 1,4,8-food diet eliminates corn, chicken, beef, and pork. The 1,4,8-food diet resulted in correct identification of foods that activated esophagitis in 76.68% of patients, with a mean of 4.13 EGDs and a median of 6 EGDs. The 1,3-food strategy identified foods that activated esophagitis in 42.76% of patients, with a mean of 3.36 EGDs and a median of 2 EGDs required.

CONCLUSIONS

In this modeling analysis, we found the 1,4,8-food and 1,3-food elimination strategies to be the most efficient in detection of foods that induce EoE in patients. However, the ideal elimination strategy will vary based on clinical priorities. Additional research on specific foods that induce EoE are needed to confirm the predictions of this model.

Updated International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria for Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Proceedings of the AGREE Conference

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Over the last decade, clinical experiences and research studies raised concerns regarding use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) as part of the diagnostic strategy for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). We aimed to clarify the use of PPIs in the evaluation and treatment of children and adults with suspected EoE to develop updated international consensus criteria for EoE diagnosis.

METHODS

A consensus conference was convened to address the issue of PPI use for esophageal eosinophilia using a process consistent with standards described in the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II. Pediatric and adult physicians and researchers from gastroenterology, allergy, and pathology subspecialties representing 14 countries used online communications, teleconferences, and a face-to-face meeting to review the literature and clinical experiences.

RESULTS

Substantial evidence documented that PPIs reduce esophageal eosinophilia in children, adolescents, and adults, with several mechanisms potentially explaining the treatment effect. Based on these findings, an updated diagnostic algorithm for EoE was developed, with removal of the PPI trial requirement.

CONCLUSIONS

EoE should be diagnosed when there are symptoms of esophageal dysfunction and at least 15 eosinophils per high-power field (or approximately 60 eosinophils per mm2) on esophageal biopsy and after a comprehensive assessment of non-EoE disorders that could cause or potentially contribute to esophageal eosinophilia. The evidence suggests that PPIs are better classified as a treatment for esophageal eosinophilia that may be due to EoE than as a diagnostic criterion, and we have developed updated consensus criteria for EoE that reflect this change.

Long-term Treatment With Proton Pump Inhibitors Is Effective in Children With Eosinophilic Esophagitis

OBJECTIVES

Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-responsive eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is frequently observed in children, but data on long-term treatment are scarce. The objective of this study is to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of PPIs in children with EoE.

METHODS

This prospective study enrolled children with EoE and histological remission to an 8-week esomeprazole trial (1 mg/kg/dose, twice daily). Esomeprazole was maintained at 1 mg/kg/day for 1 year. Symptom recurrence and adverse events were monitored and a follow-up endoscopy was performed at 12 months. Complete histological remission was defined as ≤5 eosinophils/high-power field (eos/hpf), and partial histological remission as >5 and <15 eos/hpf. Patients had no concomitant dietary restrictions or topical steroid.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven children were included. Histological remission on maintenance PPI therapy was present in 40 children (70.1%; 95% CI 56.5-81.5). Long-term remission rate was higher in children with initial complete histological remission than in those with partial remission (81% vs 50%, P = 0.014). Forty-nine children (86%) remained asymptomatic. Pretreatment clinical and histological findings and median PPI dose/kg/day were similar between relapsers and nonrelapsers. Eleven out of 12 children (91.6%) receiving esomeprazole 0.5 mg · kg ·  day for 12 additional months remained in remission. Mild and transient side effects without requiring PPI avoidance were observed in 5 children.

CONCLUSIONS

Up to 70% of children with PPI-responsive EoE remain in histological and clinical remission on a low-dose maintenance treatment at 1-year follow-up, with adequate safety profile. Complete histological remission to an 8-week PPI trial was associated with higher probability of histological remission on maintenance therapy.

Systematic review of histological remission criteria in eosinophilic esophagitis

Elemental diets, dietary elimination, and steroid therapies are the most common therapies in the clinical trials for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Histological findings (usually reported as eosinophils per microscopic high‐powered field [hpf]) remain the most common end‐point used to define response. Yet, the threshold for defining “response” and “remission” are ill‐defined among consensus guidelines and may vary from study to study. We conducted a systematic literature review of articles on eosinophilic esophagitis, published between January 2007 and November 2017, considering histological remission as the primary outcome. We abstracted treatment information and definitions of histological remission or response. A comparison of definitions of histological remission across and within institutions was performed. A total of 61 articles were included in this review, with approximately 60% of the studies published from centers in the United States. Histological definitions of remission of EoE ranged from 0 to ≤20 eosinophils/hpf. The most stringent criteria, ranging from 0 to ≤5 eosinophils/hpf, were commonly used in interventional trial studies that examined the effects of new treatments. We found remarkable variability in definitions between studies, treatment types, and regions. Age or epidemiological distribution of study subjects did not influence the criteria for histological remission. Clinical and histological improvements are important measures of the effects of treatment. Histological findings, the most objective measure of treatment, should provide an optimal method for comparing the effectiveness of various treatments. Yet, our findings suggest a lack of consistent remission criteria in published studies. Considering these inconsistencies, it is difficult to compare the effectiveness of various treatments.

Biological therapies for eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases

The scientific basis and the clinical application of mAb therapies that target specific immunologic pathways for eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases are areas of active interest. There is a growing recognition of a subset of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis whose disease does not respond well to topical steroids or elimination diets. In addition, long-term use of corticosteroids presents possible risks that are currently being evaluated. Systemic therapy with a biologic agent offers potential advantages as a global approach that could limit the need for multiple, locally active medical therapies and allergen avoidance. The identification of novel biologic strategies is ongoing, and the recent validation of instruments and outcome measures to assess disease activity has proved essential in demonstrating efficacy. Studies using biologics that target IL-13 pathways in the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis have demonstrated substantial promise.

Histologic improvement after 6 weeks of dietary elimination for eosinophilic esophagitis may be insufficient to determine efficacy

Background

Elimination diets are used to treat eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), with success (remission) defined at endoscopy and oesophageal biopsy as fewer than 15 eosinophils per high power field (HPF). Response is assessed after 6 weeks of treatment by convention, but we have observed that this period of time may be insufficient.

Objective

To characterise a subset of patients with EoE who require prolonged (>6 weeks) of dietary therapy to achieve histologic remission.

Methods

A retrospective search of electronic medical records of 2 cohorts with EoE attending the Department of Gastroenterology, University of Chapel Hill North Carolina, and Eastern Health, Melbourne Australia. Patients who underwent elimination diet, had esophageal biopsy after 6 or more weeks of dietary restriction that demonstrated ongoing esophageal inflammation (>15 eosinophils per HPF), and who then continued dietary therapy followed by repeat endoscopy demonstrating remission (<15 eosinophils per HPF) were included.

Results

Seven patients met inclusion criteria, average esophageal eosinophil counts prior to diet was 38.5 (range, 15–65). Following the initial period of diet (mean of 6 weeks and 4 days) eosinophil count decreased (average, 21.5/HPF; range 15–40/HPF). After extended dietary elimination (mean, 13 weeks; range, 7–22 weeks), histological resolution was achieved (average peak eosinophil count of 5.2; range, 0–14) in all cases. Endoscopic appearance and symptoms both improved following the initial period of dietary elimination, thereby preceding the histological resolution, and were sustained.

Conclusion

A subset of patients has full histologic response to prolonged elimination diet, that lags initial symptomatic and endoscopic improvement.

Systematic review: adrenal insufficiency secondary to swallowed topical corticosteroids in eosinophilic oesophagitis

BACKGROUND

Swallowed topical corticosteroids are prescribed for eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), but there is a theoretical risk of adrenal insufficiency from their use.

AIMS

To determine if the use of topical corticosteroids to treat EoE is associated with the development of adrenal insufficiency.

METHOD

We conducted a systematic review of the published literature from January 1, 1950 to April 1, 2017 using Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Central. Studies and meeting abstracts were included that described patients with EoE who received swallowed topical corticosteroids and any investigation for adrenal insufficiency.

RESULTS

The search revealed 1610 unique publications, and 17 met inclusion criteria. There were 7 randomised controlled trials (RCTs), 6 prospective observational studies, 3 retrospective observational studies, and 1 case report. Cortisol measurements were performed on 596 individuals with EoE who received topical corticosteroids. Adrenal testing was abnormal, as defined by each study, in 94/596 patients (crude rate of 15.8%). Only 2 studies were considered to have a low risk of bias, being randomised controlled trials that estimated adrenal insufficiency in the active treatment and placebo groups, before and after treatment. None of the seven randomised controlled trials demonstrated statistically significantly different rates of adrenal insufficiency between topical corticosteroid and placebo over treatment intervals of 2-12 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Topical corticosteroids were associated with adrenal insufficiency in a minority of patients. Most cases came from uncontrolled observational studies, with widely varying definitions of adrenal insufficiency. Longer follow-up and larger controlled studies are needed to quantify the risk of adrenal insufficiency with maintenance topical corticosteroid therapy in EoE.

Dietary therapy for eosinophilic esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic, immune-mediated esophageal disease triggered predominantly, but not exclusively, by food antigens. Presently, available food allergy tests are suboptimal to predict food triggers for eosinophilic esophagitis, especially in adults. Elemental diets (exclusive feeding with amino acid-based formulas) and empiric 6-food elimination diets (withdrawing milk, wheat, egg, soy, nuts, and fish/seafood for 6 weeks) have consistently shown the best efficacy rates. However, their high level of restriction and need for multiple endoscopies have hampered their implementation in clinical practice. Currently, milk, wheat/gluten, and egg are the most common food triggers in children and adults from the United States, Spain, and Australia. Hence less restrictive empiric schemes, such as a 4-food elimination diet (dairy, gluten-containing cereals, egg, and legumes) or a 2-food elimination diet (dairy and gluten-containing cereals) have been lately developed with good efficacy rates (2-food elimination diet, 43%; 4-food elimination diet in adults, 54%; and 4-food elimination diet in children, 64%). A step-up approach (2-4-6) might result in prompt recognition of a majority of responders with few food triggers, reducing the number of endoscopies and costs and shortening the diagnostic process. Standardization of food reintroduction, novel food allergy testing, and studies evaluating a milk elimination diet in children and the long-term outcomes of dietary interventions are warranted.

The role of maintenance therapy in eosinophilic esophagitis: who, why, and how?

In patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) who do not respond to proton pump inhibitors, initial anti-inflammatory/anti-eosinophilic treatment is with either topical corticosteroids or dietary elimination. A large body of literature supports the efficacy of these approaches, with histologic response rates in the 50-90% range for steroids and 70% range for the six-food elimination diet. However, these studies are almost all short-term and data evaluating long-term safety and efficacy of either treatment are limited. Nevertheless, because EoE is chronic, symptomatic, endoscopic, and histologic disease activity recurs when successful treatments are stopped. An emerging body of data also suggest that left untreated, persistent eosinophilic esophageal inflammation may progress to fibrostenosis over time. Therefore, maintenance therapy in EoE is intuitively attractive. This paper reviews the rationale for maintenance treatment in EoE, the available long-term pharmacologic and dietary response data for EoE, and discusses who may benefit the most from ongoing treatment. While all patients with EoE can be offered maintenance treatment, this option should be strongly recommended in patients with severe disease phenotypes or complications, including malnutrition or failure to thrive, esophageal fibrostenosis, strictures requiring dilation, recurrent food bolus impaction, history of perforation, and symptoms that recur quickly after treatment discontinuation. In all EoE patients, regular follow-up is also advised.