Descriptive Analysis of Pre-existing Data on Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Associated Morbidities in Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Background: Data on eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) are limited in the United Arab Emirates. Objective: This study aimed to describe the distribution of eosinophilic gastritis/gastroenteritis (EoG/EGE) and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) among patients whose data are recorded on the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD) systems. Methods: Anonymized aggregate data were obtained from the Clinerion Patient Network Explorer (PNEx ® ) network installed at the CCAD on patients diagnosed with EoG/EGE (n=17, of whom 11 (64.7%) were females) or with EoE (n=118, of whom 35 (29.7%) were females) between 2015 and 2022; 63 (53.4%) were diagnosed between 2020 and 2022. Results: The vast majority of EoE patients visited the gastroenterology clinic (111, 94.1%), followed by the primary care (70, 59.3%), the emergency medicine (60, 50.8%), and the immunology (59, 50%) units. A total of 84 patients with EoE also presented with another type-2 inflammatory condition including allergic rhinitis, food allergy, and atopic dermatitis. Proton pump inhibitors and corticosteroids were widely prescribed, and four patients with EoE have been commenced on biologics since 2020. However, heterogeneity of medication use was identified, warranting local clinical practice guidelines. Conclusion: A referral network could be established with local and regional reach, which relies on a multidisciplinary approach for the management of EoE and associated type 2 co-morbidities. More studies are needed to better depict the clinical picture of patients with EGIDs in general and EoE, in particular, in terms of diagnosis, pharmacological treatment, non-medical interventions, disease course, and patient-reported outcomes.