Eosinophilic esophagitis in Portuguese children: clinical and allergological characterisation

Results We included 24 pts [(21M,3F;10.6(4-16)yrs)]; median age at EoEd: 7(1-14)yrs. Average between symptom onset and EoEd:19±30 months. Average follow-up for 28 (5-60) months. Most frequent symptoms (%): dysphagia (54), impaction (50), GERD-like symptoms (42), abdominal and/or epigastric pain (42), vomiting (33). Most frequent onset symptom: dysphagia (46%). 96% of pts had prior history of atopy (p<0.001). Average peripheral Eos count 627cel/mL (170-1830) and total IgE 524kU/L (25-2798). At EoEd, the most common endoscopic finding were furrows(79.2%). Histologically 29% had>40eos/High Power Field and 33% had microabcesses (which were more frequent in patients with impactation [p<0.1]). After EoEd, 96% had confirmed allergy with 92% to aeroallergens (p<0.01) and 75% to food (P=0.023).The main allergens were(%): food [shelfish(61), milk(44), cereals(39), egg(39), meat(33), nuts(33), fish(22), fresh fruits (11)]; mites (75); pollens (54.2). After a 12 month therapy, all had symptomatic improvement; with 8.3% achieving biopsy normalization. Of those with pre-EoEd allergenic testing, all had acquisition of new sensitizations (food and/or aeroallergens) after EoEd.