Dysphagia and anorexia/early satiety may distinguish eosinophilic esophagitis from GERD

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is difficult to distinguish clinically from other causes of esophagitis, especially gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

A prospective study evaluated a symptom scoring tool in patients with EE and patients with GERD, allergic and nonallergic controls.

The total symptom score was higher among patients with EE and GERD.

Only dysphagia and anorexia/early satiety in EE patients helped discriminate EE from GERD. These symptoms also correlated with the severity of histologic and endoscopic findings.

The study authors concluded that dysphagia and anorexia/early satiety identify pediatric patients with EE and correlate symptoms with tissue inflammation.

References:
A symptom scoring tool for identifying pediatric patients with eosinophilic esophagitis and correlating symptoms with inflammation. Aceves SS, Newbury RO, Dohil MA, Bastian JF, Dohil R. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2009 Nov;103(5):401-6.
Image source: Eosinophilic esophagitis, Wikipedia, GNU Free Documentation License.