Eosinophilic esophagitis: Current concepts of pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, immune-mediated disease characterized by the infiltration of eosinophils into the esophageal mucosa. It is the most frequent cause of dysphagia and food impaction in adults. Due to its similar pathophysiology to allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis, it has been considered the esophageal manifestation of allergy. It is more frequently seen in the United States, Europe, and Australia. Incidence and prevalence have increased significantly in those countries over the past three decades, to such a degree that some consider it an epidemic. The disease is infrequently diagnosed in Mexico and Latin America, and so little information on this disease is produced in our region of the world. The precise factors explaining this low incidence are unknown.

On the other hand, there has been intense research on EoE in other parts of the world in recent years. Its pathophysiology has been better understood and endoscopic and clinical procedures have been refined for making the diagnosis. In addition, new drugs and special formulations of existing ones have been introduced for treating the disease. Simpler and more effective dietary treatment strategies have also been evaluated.

The aim of the present work was to review the current status of EoE globally and in Mexico, emphasizing the probable factors (environmental and technical) that intervene in the low incidence recorded in our country. In addition, we conducted a review of the advances in research on the different aspects of EoE carried out in recent years.