Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory disease that encompasses esophageal symptoms along with eosinophilic infiltration of the esophageal epithelium. EoE is an evolving disease that has been a subject of interest to many researchers since the first studies recognized this condition as a new and distinct clinicopathological entity 25 years ago. Clinical presentation in adult patients may include dysphagia, food impaction, vomiting, and reflux symptoms. The diagnosis of EoE is based on the combination of clinical history suggestive of esophageal dysfunction, endoscopic features indicative of the disease, and histology revealing eosinophilic infiltration of the esophageal epithelium that persists after a trial of proton pump inhibitor therapy along with the exclusion of other disorders that may be associated with esophageal tissue eosinophilia. The interplay between EoE and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is complex, and differentiating these two conditions continues to be difficult and challenging in clinical practice. The mainstay treatment includes dietary modification, topical steroids, and/or endoscopic dilation. The primary care physician (PCP) plays an important role in improving patient care and quality of life by ensuring early referral and participating in management and follow-up. This article provides an overview of the current knowledge base regarding the disease including epidemiology, genetics, pathogenesis, common clinical presentations, the interplay between EoE and GERD, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic options available to the PCP.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
A clinical perspective towards oropharyngeal dysphagia management in neurological conditions: a brief literature review Samet Tosun, Fenise Selin Karalı, Nilgün Çınar The European Research Journal.2025; 11(3): 654. CrossRef
Prevalence of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms Sabin Rajbhandari, Dibas Khadka, Kumud Bhattarai, Mukesh S Paudel Cureus.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Advances in diagnostic techniques for eosinophilic esophagitis: a systematic review of emerging noninvasive methods Abdulrhman Khaled Al Abdulqader European Journal of Medical Research.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Imaging Findings of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases in Adults Camila Lopes Vendrami, Linda Kelahan, David J. Escobar, Lori Goodhartz, Nancy Hammond, Paul Nikolaidis, Guang-Yu Yang, Ikuo Hirano, Frank H. Miller Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology.2023; 52(2): 139. CrossRef
Novel Questionnaires for Assessing Signs and Symptoms of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Children Siddhesh Kamat, Andrew Yaworsky, Isabelle Guillemin, Meaghan Krohe, Leighann Litcher-Kelly, Megan McLafferty, Roger E. Lamoureux, Caitlyn Lowe, Mirna Chehade, Jonathan M. Spergel, Kevin Weinfurt, Diane M. Turner-Bowker The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice.2022; 10(7): 1856. CrossRef
Prevalence of esophageal eosinophilia in patients referred for diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy Nancy Abdel Fattah Ahmed, Hebat-Allah Moheb Amer, Dina Abdallah Ibrahim, Islam Abd El-Hamid El-Zayyadi Egyptian Liver Journal.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
The Yield of Endoscopy and Histology in the Evaluation of Esophageal Dysphagia: Two Referral Centers’ Experiences Amir Mari, Fadi Abu Baker, Helal Said Ahmad, Ali Omari, Yazed Jawabreh, Rand Abboud, Amir Shahin, Fahmi Shibli, Wisam Sbeit, Tawfik Khoury Medicina.2021; 57(12): 1336. CrossRef