Despite emerging evidence suggesting a potential association between celiac disease (CeD) and eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE), limited data exist on how individuals with both CeD and EOE differ from those with EOE alone in terms of outcomes such as dysphagia, food impaction, and esophageal stricture, Andrew Maclaren Ford, MD, of Cleveland Clinic stated during his poster presentation at Digestive Disease Week in Washington, DC, on May 18.

Dr Ford and colleagues conducted the retrospective cohort study “Celiac Disease and Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Understanding the Overlap,” using TriNetX, a global research network. Two cohorts were generated: one with concurrent CeD and EOE and another with EOE alone. Data on demographics, medications, and concurrent autoimmune conditions were collected, and propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to control for confounders.

After PSM, 2,284 patients were included in the analysis, with similar demographic characteristics between the 2 cohorts. Patients with concurrent CeD and EOE had significantly lower odds of dysphagia and food bolus impaction compared to those with EOE alone. Although the odds were also lower for esophageal stricture in the concurrent CeD and EOE cohort, the difference was not statistically significant.

One possible explanation for these findings, Dr Ford explained, is that individuals with concurrent CeD and EOE may be on a gluten-free diet, eliminating wheat, a key component of the traditional EOE elimination diet. This study sheds light on the potential impact of dietary interventions on EOE outcomes in patients with concurrent CeD.

Reference
Ford AM, Khalid k, D'Souza S, Jansson-Knodell C, et al. Celiac disease and eosinophilic esophagitis: understanding the overlap. Poster presented at: Digestive Disease Week; May 18–21, 2024; Washington, DC.