Clinicopathological Differences between Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Asymptomatic Esophageal Eosinophilia

Objective According to consensus guidelines, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is defined as a clinicopathological entity whose symptoms and histology must always be considered together. However, endoscopic findings typical of EoE are often seen in asymptomatic esophageal eosinophilia (aEE). We aimed to clarify the clinicopathological features of aEE. Methods We retrospectively compared cases of aEE and those of symptomatic EoE. Materials We reviewed 146 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and were confirmed histopathologically to have esophageal eosinophil infiltration of at least 15 eosinophils per high-power field. They were divided into the aEE group (n=75) and the EoE group (n=71). Patients' clinicopathological findings were then collected and examined. Results The EoE group experienced dysphagia (47.9%), heartburn (40.8%), food impaction (40.8%), chest pain (16.9%), and other symptoms (8.5%). There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to age, sex, current smoking status, or alcohol consumption. The aEE group had a significantly higher body mass index (p