{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Patient-reported symptoms and burden of eosinophilic esophagitis: evidence from real-world clinical practice.
{Author}: Xu X;Kwiatek J;Siddall J;Genofre E;Stirnadel-Farrant H;Katial R;
{Journal}: BMC Gastroenterol
{Volume}: 24
{Issue}: 1
{Year}: 2024 Aug 3
{Factor}: 2.847
{DOI}: 10.1186/s12876-024-03334-4
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the esophagus. This real-world study used patient and physician surveys to describe the clinical characteristics and disease burden of eosinophilic esophagitis-overall and in a subgroup of patients with dysphagia despite treatment.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Data analyzed in this study were collected in 2020 from US and EU patients with eosinophilic esophagitis. Eligible patients were aged ≥ 12 years with a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis, had an esophageal count of ≥ 15 eosinophils/high-power field at diagnosis, and were currently prescribed treatment for eosinophilic esophagitis.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Overall, 1001 patients were included, of whom 356 (36%) had dysphagia despite treatment. Demographics and clinical characteristics were similar in both populations. The severity of eosinophilic esophagitis was mild in more patients overall (69%) versus those with dysphagia despite treatment (48%). Patient disease history was similar in both populations, with some exceptions: common patient-reported symptoms were dysphagia (70% and 86%) and heartburn/acid reflux (55% and 49%), and common physician-reported symptoms were dysphagia (75% and 91%) and food impaction (46% and 52%). Treatment history was similar in both populations; overall, the most common treatments were proton pump inhibitors (83%) and topical corticosteroids (51%). Patients reported slightly more days with symptoms, higher impacts on activities of daily living, and slightly higher anxiety or depression in the dysphagia-despite-treatment population versus the overall population.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Eosinophilic esophagitis presents severe symptoms and comorbidities that substantially impact patients' well-being and quality of life. Greater awareness of and novel treatments for eosinophilic esophagitis are needed.