Prevalence of Eosinophilic Esophagitis Doubles in Less Than a Decade: A Population-Based Study in 2 Regions of Spain.

Abstract

Background and objective: The prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) continues to increase, although nearly a decade has passed since the last reported epidemiological assessment in Spain. Objective: To update population-based estimates of incidence, prevalence, and trends in EoE among children and adults.

Methods: A population-based study was conducted between 2006 and 2024 in 2 Spanish EoE units. Cases were retrieved from the EoE CONNECT database; pathology databases were also consulted to ensure exhaustive data inclusion. Diagnosis of EoE was confirmed with symptoms of esophageal dysfunction and eosinophilia ≥15/HPF. Annual incidence rates and prevalence with 95%CIs were standardized to each area population.

Results: A total of 563 patients were treated during 2006-2024 (243 at Tomelloso General Hospital [50 children] and 320 at Hospital Universitario de Caceres). The average incidence in children was 15.74 (95%CI, 11.3-20.3) new cases/100 000 inhabitants/year for the whole study period, peaking at 23.95 (95%CI, 16.9-32.5) during the last decade. The prevalence of pediatric EoE in 2024 was 143.6 (95%CI, 88.1-215.4)/100 000 inhabitants. The average incidence for adults at Tomelloso for the whole period was 11.49 (95%CI, 9.9-13.2) new cases/100 000 inhabitants/year, with prevalence in 2024 reaching 251.39 (95%CI, 219.3-287.1) cases/100 000 inhabitants. The incidence in Caceres was 9.41 (95%CI, 8.3-10.5)/100 000 inhabitants, increasing markedly throughout the period, with prevalence in 2024 at 194.73 (95%CI, 175-216.8) cases/100 000 inhabitants. All prevalence figures doubled prior estimates from 2016-2017.

Conclusion: EoE is growing sharply and steadily and is increasingly considered a chronic disorder. Its prevalence has doubled in both children and adults in less than a decade in Spain.