Abstract
Rationale: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is an increasingly reported disorder and evidence suggests that food and/or aeroallergen sensitivities play a role in the pathophysiology. The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of food and aeroallergen sensitivity in children versus adults.
Methods: After institutional review board approval, a retrospective chart review was conducted evaluating the work up performed on patients with EE referred to allergists. A comparison was made between evidence of sensitivity to foods and aeroallergens based on age (children less than or equal to 18 years compared to adults greater than or equal to 19 years).
Results: Forty-four patient charts were reviewed including 19 children and 25 adults. Children had significantly more evidence of IgE mediated sensitivity than adults to egg (58.8% versus 9.09%; P = 0.002), milk (61.1% versus 9.09%; P value = 0.001), and soy (61.1% versus 13.6%; P = 0.005). Children also had a trend towards more IgE mediated peanut sensitivity (55.6% versus 22.7%; P = 0.07). IgE mediated aeroallergen sensitivities were not statistically different between children and adults when evaluating for trees, grasses, weeds, dust mite, animal dander, or molds. Food patch testing results also were not statistically different between children and adults.
Conclusions: Children with EE appear to be more likely to have IgE mediated food sensitivities to egg, milk, soy, and possibly peanut. The prevalence of aeroallergen sensitivity in children and adults is similar. Food delayed hypersensitivity seems to be similar between children and adults.
Methods: After institutional review board approval, a retrospective chart review was conducted evaluating the work up performed on patients with EE referred to allergists. A comparison was made between evidence of sensitivity to foods and aeroallergens based on age (children less than or equal to 18 years compared to adults greater than or equal to 19 years).
Results: Forty-four patient charts were reviewed including 19 children and 25 adults. Children had significantly more evidence of IgE mediated sensitivity than adults to egg (58.8% versus 9.09%; P = 0.002), milk (61.1% versus 9.09%; P value = 0.001), and soy (61.1% versus 13.6%; P = 0.005). Children also had a trend towards more IgE mediated peanut sensitivity (55.6% versus 22.7%; P = 0.07). IgE mediated aeroallergen sensitivities were not statistically different between children and adults when evaluating for trees, grasses, weeds, dust mite, animal dander, or molds. Food patch testing results also were not statistically different between children and adults.
Conclusions: Children with EE appear to be more likely to have IgE mediated food sensitivities to egg, milk, soy, and possibly peanut. The prevalence of aeroallergen sensitivity in children and adults is similar. Food delayed hypersensitivity seems to be similar between children and adults.
Original language | English (US) |
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Journal | Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology |
Volume | 125 |
Issue number | 2s1 |
State | Published - Feb 1 2010 |