PREVALENCE OF EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS IN PATIENTS WITH GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX SYMPTOMS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS
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Keywords
Eosinophilic esophagitis, GERD symptoms, prevalence, esophageal biopsy, Pakistan, reflux disease
Abstract
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a condition that is becoming more and more diagnosed among patients who show gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. It is underdiagnosed in most areas, such as Pakistan, because of its similarity with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Objectives: To establish the prevalence of EoE in patients having gastroesophageal reflux symptoms assessed endoscopically in a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study carried out at HBS Medical & Dental College, Islamabad, from 15th July, 2024 to 15th January, 2025. Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract of adult patients with reflux symptoms with multi-level esophageal biopsies. The diagnoses of EoE were made according to 15 or more eosinophils in high-power fields, and other histological supporting features.
Results: In 240 patients, EoE was found in 13.3%. Minority had classic endoscopic features, and greater biopsy enhanced the diagnostic yield. EoE was strongly linked with dysphagia, atopy, and non-response to PPIs.
Conclusion: EoE is the pertinent and underreported reason for reflux symptoms in Pakistan. Early detection can be greatly enhanced by regular esophageal biopsies.
References
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Dr Choudhry Tahir Ali
MBBS, FCPS (Gastroenterology), MSPH, Senior Registrar, HBS Medical & Dental College, Islamabad Email: [email protected]
Dr Mehwish Zafar
Ph.D (Mathematics), Riphah International University, Islamabad.
Email: [email protected]
Dr Shafaq Farooq
MBBS, FCPS (Gastroenterology), Senior Registrar Gastroenterology, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi. Email: [email protected]
Dr Hina Dilruba Khan
MBBS, FCPS (Medicine), Assistant Professor Medicine, HBS Medical & Dental College, Islamabad, Email: [email protected]
Dr Syed Hur Hussain Hamdani
Senior, Registrar Medicine, HBS Medical & Dental College, Islamabad,
Email: [email protected]
Dr Muhammad Aamir Majeed
Senior Registrar Medicine, HBS Medical & Dental College, Islamabad
Email: [email protected]
