EoE Module 12 References-Asher Wolf et al Dysphagia 2016 The 6FED for EoE increases grocery shopping cost and complexity

Asher Wolf et al Dysphagia 2016 The 6FED for EoE increases grocery shopping cost and complexity

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The study examines the costs and logistical burden of implementing the Six-Food Elimination Diet (SFED), which excludes dairy, wheat, eggs, soy, nuts, and seafood, as a treatment for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). It investigates the difference in costs and complexity of shopping for SFED items compared to an unrestricted diet. A dietitian developed menus for both diets, and prices were compared at standard and specialty grocery stores across several U.S. cities.<br /><br />The study found that at standard supermarkets, SFED costs approximately $92.54 weekly versus $79.84 for an unrestricted diet, with significant statistical differences (p < 0.0001). Shopping for SFED at standard stores required visits to additional shops more frequently (32% of items missing vs. 3% for unrestricted diets, p < 0.0001). Conversely, at specialty stores, the costs of SFED and unrestricted diets were similar ($106.47 vs. $105.96, p = 0.81), although the SFED still required sourcing 6% of items elsewhere compared to 2% for unrestricted diets (p = 0.03).<br /><br />Shopping at specialty stores raised the overall food costs for both diets—$13.93 more weekly for SFED and $26.12 for unrestricted diets, indicating a higher baseline cost of shopping at these venues. Annually, the extra cost of following an SFED at standard grocery stores was over $650.<br /><br />These findings highlight the financial and logistical burdens of SFED, underscoring the importance of considering these aspects when patients choose between dietary therapy and pharmacological treatments. This study serves as the first to quantify the patient-related costs and logistical challenges of sustaining a SFED, providing a basis for further exploration regarding cost-offset with pharmaceutical treatments in EoE management.

Keywords

Six-Food Elimination Diet

eosinophilic esophagitis

dietary therapy

cost analysis

logistical burden

specialty grocery stores

standard supermarkets

dietitian menus

financial burden

pharmaceutical treatments