Treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis

  Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by eosinophil infiltration throughout the esophageal wall. The main manifestations are dysphagia, esophageal stricture, food impaction and reflux-like symptoms, some with retrosternal pain, acid reflux and heartburn discomfort. Treatment mainly includes diet therapy, hormone therapy, esophageal dilatation, and other treatment methods.  1.Dietary treatment: The allergic reaction caused by food allergy may be involved in the development of eosinophilic esophagitis, so common food allergens need to be presented, including milk, wheat, eggs, seafood, soy, nuts, etc. Adjust the dietary balance and provide patients with substitutes for common nutrients.  2. Hormonal therapy: Topical steroids such as fluticasone or budesonide are the first-line agents for the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis. It can result in symptomatic and histological relief of 50% or more. If topical steroids are ineffective and rapid symptom improvement is needed, prednisone therapy can also be used. Mucosal induction of remission is assessed by endoscopy performed 6-8 weeks after initiation of hormonal therapy. Patients with no symptomatic relief or histological improvement after topical steroid therapy may extend the steroid course and increase the applied dose.  3.Esophageal dilatation: The purpose of dilatation is mucosal tearing, and its defining criterion is the destruction of the esophageal mucosa in the stenotic region. However, the procedure does not reduce the inflammatory response in the esophagus, does not improve histological changes, and may recur 3-8 months after treatment, so this treatment is currently treated with caution, and dilatation is only considered if symptoms do not improve after medication and diet.  4, other treatments: there is less information on research supporting mast cell stabilizers and leukotriene inhibitors, and biological therapy is still in the experimental stage.  In conclusion, dietary therapy can induce symptomatic and histological remission, but compliance is poor. Steroid therapy induces rapid histological remission, but is not suitable for long-term use because of adverse effects. The efficacy and safety of specific biological agents still need further clinical studies. Esophageal dilatation is indicated for patients with concomitant esophageal strictures and only relieves symptoms, but does not induce histological remission.