Clinical features of eosinophilic oesophagitis in Polish paediatric patients: a single-centre retrospective study

Introduction
To assess the clinical picture, risk factors and epidemiology of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) in the Polish paediatric population.

Material and methods
A retrospective analysis of the medical data of patients hospitalised at the Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology of the First Independent Public Teaching Hospital in Zabrze during the years 2016–2023 was performed. The study included 40 children, aged 1–16 years, who met the criteria for EoE diagnosis, including 7 female and 33 male patients (17.5% vs. 82.5%, p < 0.001).

Results
The disease prevalence was significantly higher in the male patients and during puberty. As many as 67.5% of the children with EoE revealed other allergic diseases, most commonly bronchial asthma, while among the comorbidities of non-allergic origin gastroesophageal reflux had a significant prevalence rate (25%). The most commonly reported symptoms included abdominal pain and dysphagia with food sticking in the oesophagus (dysphagia). Half of the patients presented at least one symptom that could have suggested gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). The median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 24 months. EoE was diagnosed earlier in patients with the dysphagia symptom. In children with regurgitation, the time from symptom onset to diagnosis was significantly longer. Over the last two years of observation, an increased incidence of EoE was reported compared to previous study periods.

Conclusions
The incidence rates of EoE have been increasing in recent years. In the study material, male patients and children in puberty were identified as a risk group for this condition. GORD was the most common non-allergic comorbidity of EoE, and half of the patients diagnosed with EoE presented symptoms indicative of GORD. At the same time, the occurrence of regurgitation was considered an independent factor delaying the diagnosis of EoE. Therefore, patients with symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux should be actively assessed for possible coexistence of EoE.