Increasing incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis in Sweden: a nationwide population study.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the esophagus associated with dysphagia and esophageal fibrosis. The incidence of EoE is not precisely known, and significant heterogeneity in study design and disease definition have led to widely variable estimates. Through the ESPRESSO (Epidemiology Strengthened by histoPathology Reports in Sweden) study we performed a nationwide population-based study to estimate the incidence and temporal patterns of biopsy-verified EoE. METHODS: Between October 2015 and April 2017, we contacted all pathology departments in Sweden (n = 28) to obtain biopsy report data on EoE. To assure a high degree of completeness, we restricted the study to 2004-2015. We then calculated age-specific and age-standardized incidence rates. RESULTS: We identified 1412 incident EoE cases between 2004-2015. The overall age-standardized incidence rates of EoE in Sweden was 1.22 per 100,000 person-years. During the study period, there was a significant increase of 33% [95%CI = 31-36%] (P < 0.001) per year in EoE incidence, and in the last 3 years of follow-up (2013-2015) the incidence was 2.79 per 100,000 person-years. This corresponds to a lifetime risk of biopsy-verified EoE for men of 0.33% (1 in 295 men) and for women 0.12% (1 in 813 women). We observed an early peak of EoE disgnosed at age 15-19 years for both males and females, and a second peak in the late 30 s for males, and early 40 s for females. We noted a 3:1 male-to-female predominance, which did not significantly vary over time. CONCLUSIONS: EoE seems to be increasing in Sweden, with an overall age-standardized incidence of EoE of 1.22 per 100,000 person-years in the last decade.

Risk of fractures in individuals with eosinophilic esophagitis: nationwide population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an emerging, chronic immune-mediated disease for which swallowed topical steroids and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) represent first-line treatments. Immune-mediated diseases, steroids, and PPI use have been linked to osteoporosis. We assessed the risk of fractures in patients with EoE and determined whether the most commonly used treatments for EoE were associated with increased fracture risk. METHODS: We followed a nationwide cohort of 1263 individuals in Sweden with biopsy-verified EoE diagnosed between 2005 and 2016 for first-time fracture of any type. Age- and sex-matched reference individuals were retrieved from the Total Population Register (n = 5164). We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for fracture in relation to EoE diagnosis, steroid exposure, and PPI use. In a separate analysis, we compared fracture risk among individuals with EoE to their siblings (n = 1394). RESULTS: During 4521 person-years of follow-up, 69 individuals with EoE experienced a first-time fracture (15.3/1000 person-years) compared with 234 reference individuals (12.6/1000 person-years). After adjusting for age, sex, birth year, and county of residence, EoE was not associated with a statistically significantly increased risk of fractures (HR = 1.2, 95% CI = 0.9-1.6). Among EoE individuals, exposure to PPIs and swallowed steroids did not modify the risk of fracture (p for heterogeneity 0.20 and 0.07 respectively). There was no increased risk of fractures in EoE compared to EoE-free siblings. CONCLUSION: The risk of fracture in EoE was not statistically significantly elevated compared to non-EoE reference individuals. Fracture risk in EoE was not modified by PPIs or steroid use.

Lifestyle, behaviour, and environmental modification for the management of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: an International Organization for Study of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases consensus.

Environmental and lifestyle factors play an important role in the natural history of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. A group of international experts from the International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases voted on a series of consensus statements to inform the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The recommendations include avoiding traditional cigarette smoking in patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, screening for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychosocial stressors at diagnosis and during flares (with referral to mental health professionals when appropriate), and encouraging regular physical activity as tolerated. Patients using dietary approaches for treatment of their IBD should be encouraged to adopt diets that are best supported by evidence and involve monitoring for the objective resolution of inflammation. We recommend formal assessment for obesity and nutritional deficiencies, and patients should be encouraged to maintain a normal body-mass index. A shared decision-making approach to contraception should include the consideration of IBD-related factors, and risk factors for venous thromboembolism. Long-term or frequent use of high-dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided. For primary prevention of disease in the offspring of patients with IBD, we recommend avoiding passive exposure to tobacco, using antibiotics judiciously, and considering breastfeeding when able.