Among allergic conditions, food allergy had the highest risk of developing EoE
BOSTON (Oct. 24, 2024) – Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), a disorder of the esophagus, is increasingly recognized as a major cause of swallowing difficulties in children and adults. It affects about one in 2,000 people and is part of a spectrum of allergic conditions. A new study being presented at this year’s American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston investigated the probability of patients with certain atopic (allergic) conditions developing EoE.
“We did a separate analysis of four common allergic conditions – asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis and food allergy – to determine the probability of pediatric patients ages 1-18 years with the conditions also developing EoE,” says pediatric resident, Catherine Haber, MD, lead author of the study and ACAAI member. “For each of these atopic conditions, we compared the likelihood of developing EoE with a control group of patients who did not have these allergic or atopic conditions. We found that each of these conditions was associated with an increased risk of developing EoE. We also found that food allergy had the highest risk of developing EoE among the atopic conditions studied.”
The breakdown for each condition was as follows:
- Asthma – 1,885 patients developed EoE versus 726 in the control group who did not
- Allergic rhinitis – 1,444 patients developed EoE versus 829 in the control group who did not
- Atopic dermatitis – 533 patients developed EoE versus 307 in the control group who did not
- Food allergies – 1,098 patients developed EoE versus 166 in the control group who did not
The cohort and control groups were matched in terms of sex, race, and ethnicity. Additionally, they were matched for the other atopic conditions included in this study: asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and food allergy.
Abstract Title: RISK OF DEVELOPING EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS WITH PREEXISTING ASTHMA, ALLERGIC RHINITIS, ATOPIC DERMATITIS, OR FOOD ALLERGY (See full abstract here)
Presenter: Catherine Haber, MD
For more information on eosinophilic esophagitis, or to find an allergist in your area, visit AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. The ACAAI Annual Scientific Meeting is Oct. 24-28. For more news and research from the ACAAI Scientific Meeting, go to our newsroom and follow the conversation on X/Twitter #ACAAI24.
About ACAAI
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) is a professional medical organization of more than 6,000 allergists-immunologists and allied health professionals, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. Founded in 1942, the College fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy, and research. ACAAI allergists are board-certified physicians trained to diagnose allergies and asthma, administer immunotherapy, and provide patients with the best treatment outcomes. For more information and to find relief, visit AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and X/Twitter.
