Eosinophilic gastroenteritis: Clinical characteristics and management

Abstract

There is paucity of published data related to eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE). We aimed to study the clinical characteristics, management, and follow-up of EGE. From March 2014 to December 2018, patients with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms suspected to have EGE were investigated. This is a retrospective study. Complete blood count, upper GI endoscopy (UGIE), and biopsy were done. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) abdomen was done when intestinal obstruction was suspected. Laparoscopic small bowel resection or stricturoplasty and full-thickness biopsy were obtained. EGE was diagnosed if the biopsies showed eosinophilic infiltration of one or more regions of the GI tract (> 30 eosinophils per high power field [HPF]). Patients were treated with immunosuppressive therapy and if indicated surgery. Clinical response to therapy was assessed and patients were followed up for 1 year. Forty-one patients (mean age 34.8 years, median age 32, range 25–70 years, 29 males) had EGE. Upper abdominal pain was the most common symptom. Peripheral eosinophilia was present in 82.9% patients. On UGIE, duodenal lesions were observed in 75% patients. EGE was confirmed in 37 patients by endoscopic duodenal biopsies, in 2 patients by jejunal mucosal biopsies using enteroscopy, and in 2 patients by full thickness surgical biopsies. Forty-one patients were treated with oral corticosteroids inclusive of 4 patients who underwent surgery. Of the 37 patients, 6 were lost to follow-up; 31 patients were followed up for a period of 1 year. All the patients who were treated with corticosteroids responded to initial therapy. Over a follow-up period one case had frequent relapses. EGE should be suspected in patients with upper abdominal pain. Peripheral eosinophilia occurs in the majority. Tissue diagnosis showing eosinophilic infiltration is diagnostic. Oral corticosteroid therapy is highly effective and relapse is rare.