Clinical features of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) have been well-described in the literature, however characterization of features experienced by patients with other eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs) is lacking. Using data collected from a patient contact registry, we sought to characterize and contrast patient-reported gastrointestinal and extra-gastrointestinal symptoms and comorbidities in non-EoE EGIDs, including eosinophilic gastritis, gastroenteritis and colitis, relative to EoE.
We conducted a cross-sectional study of contact registry data collected from 2015-2018. Statistical comparisons were made using Chi-square (categorical measures) and the Mann-Whitney U test (continuous measures). Multivariable analyses were used to evaluate associations between treatment and feelings of isolation.
Of the 715 reporting an EGID diagnosis (n = 525 EoE; n = 190 non-EoE EGID), a higher proportion of those with a non-EoE EGID reported more frequent specific and non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating (p < 0.01 for all). Participants with a non-EoE EGID were more likely to report higher frequency of fatigue, isolation, and deep muscle or joint pain (p < 0.01 for all). Specific food elimination and elemental formula treatments were associated with increased odds of more frequent (≥weekly) feelings of isolation for participants with EoE (adjusted OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.5, 4.1 for specific food elimination and adjusted OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2, 3.3 for elemental formula).
Significant differences exist in the symptoms and co-morbidities experienced between those with EoE versus non-EoE EGIDs. Additional investigation is needed to elucidate the factors that may contribute to the high disease burden of these poorly understood conditions.

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