Classification of patients with esophageal eosinophilia by patterns of sensitization revealed by a diagnostic assay for multiple allergen-specific IgEs

Background Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is considered to be an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic disorder. Our goal was to examine IgE-mediated allergic sensitization patterns in patients with esophageal eosinophilia (EE). Methods We enrolled subjects with EE who underwent evaluation with a diagnostic panel to document multiple allergen-specific IgEs. Statistically significant groups were identified by cluster analysis. We also defined allergens based on their characteristics including outdoor, indoor, plant, and animal allergens. Results We classified patients with EE into 3 distinct groups, including cluster 1 ( n = 62) who were minimally sensitized to most allergens except pollen and house dust, cluster 2 ( n = 30) who were hypersensitized to outdoor and plant allergens, and cluster 3 ( n = 15) who were hypersensitized to most allergens, most notably to indoor and animal allergens. Dysphagia reported among those in clusters 1, 2, and 3 at 35.5%, 46.7%, and 73.3%, respectively, ( p = 0.028) and EoE endoscopic reference scores (EREFS) at 3.0, 6.0, and 8.0, respectively, ( p