title: The prevalence of oesophageal eosinophilia and eosinophilic oesophagitis: a prospective study in unselected patients presenting to endoscopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oesophageal eosinophilia (EE) is encountered in clinical practice as oesophageal biopsies are being obtained in patients with GI symptoms other than classical symptoms of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE). The prevalence, determinants and clinical relevance of EE identified irrespective of symptoms are unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence and risk factors of EE with or without EoE in a nonselected group of patients undergoing endoscopy and in primary care patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study in a single VA centre in which we obtained at least one oesophageal biopsy from patients presenting to elective endoscopy, as well as a sample of patients eligible for screening colonoscopy recruited from primary care clinics. EE was defined by >15 eosinophils in a single HPF; and EoE was defined as definite, probable or none depending on the presence of EE, acid-suppressive therapy and oesophageal symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EE was identified in 33 of 1357 patients (2.4%, 95% CI: 1.7-3.4); of whom 9 had definite EoE (0.66%, 95% CI: 0.23-1.10), 17 had probable EoE (1.25%), and the only 7 patients had EE without EoE. The prevalence of EE was 2.3% among patients undergoing elective endoscopy and 0.1% among patients eligible for screening colonoscopy. Seasonal allergies (adjusted OR: 2.78; 95% CI: 1.26-6.11) and oesophageal strictures (4.50; 0.90-22.40) were associated with EE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of EE was 2.3% among unselected patients presenting to endoscopy most of whom have EoE. EE was present in 0.1% in primary care patients none of whom had EoE.
authors: Section of Gastroenterology, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.
authors: R J
authors: RJ
authors: Sealock
authors: J R
authors: JR
authors: Kramer
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Verstovsek
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Richardson
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Rugge
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Parente
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Vela
authors: H B
authors: HB
authors: El-Serag
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D057765:Eosinophilic Esophagitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology