Frequency of Strictures in Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis

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D Burnett et al. JPGN Reports 2021; Free Access: Incidence of Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Characterization of the Stricturing Phenotype in Alberta, Canada doi: 10.1097/PG9.0000000000000136

This retrospective study (2015-2018) identified 185 new cases of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).

Key findings:

  • Eight of 185 (4%) patients had endoscopically confirmed esophageal strictures, 4 of which required mechanical dilation. (The authors note a Dutch study which demonstrated a 14% stricture rate)
  • Eleven of 185 (5.9%) patients had more subtle signs of esophageal narrowing, but no focal strictures
  • Pain was reported after 15% of all scopes, including 50% of the 28 scopes with focal strictures
  • For patients <15 years old living in Edmonton, the incidence over the 4 years was 11.1 cases per 100,000 person years
  • EoE was more common in urban setting: incidence 10.6 versus 4.1 per 100,000 person-years, respectively

My take: This article provides useful data on the likelihood of stricturing EoE in the pediatric population in an area with a high incidence of EoE.

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