Abstract:Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a clinicopathologic disorder first described in 1978 which has gained significant recognition over the past 10 years. Numerous prevalence studies have been performed around the globe, both in pediatric and adult populations documenting a prevalence between 0.002% and 6.5%. The aim of this study is to assess the utility of routinely screening for EoE in patients with dysphagia. Methods: A prospective, observational study in which adult patients with a complaint of esophageal dysphagia were enrolled. Results: Of the 135 patients enrolled, 122 completed the study; 100 patients had nonobstructive dysphagia, while 22 patients had a luminal finding which could explain their dysphagia. The prevalence of EoE in the nonobstructive dysphagia group was 22% (95% CI: 13.930.1%); 32.7% of male patients with nonobstructive dysphagia were found to have EoE compared with 8.9% of females (p ¼ 0.004). The mean age of nonobstructive patients found to have EoE was 37.8 years. White patients with nonobstructive dysphagia were found to have a 25.9% prevalence of EoE, compared with 0% of African Americans, 0% of Asians, and 14.3% of Hispanics. When comparing Whites with non-Whites, the prevalence of EoE was noted to be 25.9% versus 5.3%, respectively (p ¼ 0.050). Conclusions: EoE is a common cause of nonobstructive dysphagia. We believe that the high prevalence of EoE in patients with nonobstructive dysphagia supports the practice of routine biopsies to screen for the presence of abnormally high numbers of eosinophils in this subgroup.
Abstract:The obesity epidemic has now spread worldwide. With increase in weight, there is an increase in dysregulated energy metabolism ultimately leading to dysfunction of multiple organ systems recognized as the metabolic syndrome. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of chronic liver disease worldwide, and is thought to be the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. It is a nondiscriminating disease affecting both children and adults and no socioeconomic class is spared. There is a well-defined increase in both liver-related and all-cause mortality. Current projections foresee a continued worsening in prevalence, especially with the increased rate of childhood obesity. Prevention would be the ultimate goal, but with continued trends in obesity, therapeutic options are needed to manage this chronic liver disease and prevent its complications of cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Therapies will need to be affordable, tolerable, and safe to be useful on such a large scale. This article will discuss some of the basic understanding of NAFLD, as well as review the currently tested therapies, some novel therapies, and potential future therapeutic options.
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