Diagnostic and Therapeutic Long-term Management of Eosinophilic Esophagitis- Current Concepts and Perspectives for Steroid Use

Clin Transl Gastroenterol. 2018 Dec;9(12):e212. doi: 10.1038/s41424-018-0074-8.

Abstract

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the esophagus, which requires short- and long-term treatment. In addition, patients under long-term treatment for any chronic condition should have a structured follow-up. The mainstays in EoE treatment are drugs (such as swallowed topical corticosteroids [STC] and proton pump inhibitors), dietary exclusions, and endoscopic dilations. STC are the most widely used treatment and have proven efficacy in inducing clinical, endoscopic and histological remission in active EoE. However, data regarding maintaining disease remission and long-term management are limited. Ongoing disease activity and relapses despite STC treatment are frequently observed. This sheds light on the urgent need for adequate maintenance strategies, which have not been well defined. In terms of follow-up concepts, to date neither guidelines nor consensus recommendations have been published. To summarize the current knowledge on long-term diagnostic and therapeutic STC management of EoE, we conducted a literature search using PubMed and Embase applying the following key search items: Eosinophilic esophagitis, eosinophils, esophagus, swallowed topical corticosteroids, fluticasone, budesonide, long-term, treatment, therapy, and follow-up. In addition, we present empirically developed long-term management concepts applied at two large EoE centers, with a special focus on STC treatments. Finally, we highlight areas of future research and perspectives regarding the long-term management of EoE.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage*
  • Budesonide / therapeutic use
  • Chronic Disease
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis / diagnosis*
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis / drug therapy*
  • Eosinophils / pathology
  • Esophagoscopy
  • Esophagus / pathology
  • Esophagus / physiopathology
  • Fluticasone / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Maintenance Chemotherapy
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Remission Induction
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Budesonide
  • Fluticasone