Advanced Practice Provider EoE Program (Live/Virtual) | November 2024-My Life with a Diva Esophagus

Pdf Summary

Bethany Doerfler's presentation, "My Life with a Diva Esophagus: Integrating Diet Therapy in the Treatment Plan," highlights the importance of incorporating diet therapy into managing Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE). The talk delves into diet therapy history in EoE, providing a framework for assessing dietary needs and offering practical dietary advice.<br /><br />Key considerations for effective management include evaluating a patient's baseline diet, allergen exposure, and lifestyle factors like cooking skills and resources. Nutrition assessments are crucial, particularly for those experiencing significant nutrition-impacting symptoms, such as dysphagia or appetite loss.<br /><br />Dietary treatment strategies like the Six Food Elimination Diet (6FED), which excludes common allergens, have shown efficacy in achieving histologic remission for 68% of patients. The presentation stresses the role of dietitians in guiding patients through elimination diets while managing potential social and psychological impacts of dietary restrictions.<br /><br />Different levels of restriction in elimination diets (SFED, FFED, TFED) address varying patient needs, contextualized within the AGA and Joint Task Force guidelines. Studies indicate a wide range of responses, highlighting the need for individualized approaches and flexibility in choosing between more restrictive diets and those that allow certain food groups.<br /><br />Practical tools for maintaining adherence, like meal planning guides and strategies for dining out, are essential in supporting patients' sustainable dietary transitions. The discussion underscores the importance of shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers to ensure adherence and efficacy.<br /><br />Resources for clinicians, such as training programs and the role of dietitians as educators and managers, are emphasized to improve the quality of care for those with EoE. Ultimately, effective diet therapy can offer significant symptom relief and improve the quality of life for patients.

Asset Subtitle

Bethany Doerfler, MS, RD, LDN

Keywords

Eosinophilic Esophagitis

diet therapy

Six Food Elimination Diet

nutrition assessment

dietary restrictions

shared decision-making

dietitians

histologic remission

allergen exposure

quality of life