EoE Module 7 References-Kwiatek et al Gastroenterology 2011 Mechanical properties of the esophagus in eosinophilic esophagitis

Kwiatek et al Gastroenterology 2011 Mechanical properties of the esophagus in eosinophilic esophagitis

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The study aimed to investigate the mechanical properties of the esophagus in patients with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), using a novel device known as the functional luminal imaging probe (EndoFLIP). The researchers compared 35 patients with EoE to 15 control subjects by evaluating esophageal dimensions during endoscopy using EndoFLIP. This device helps in assessing the esophagogastric junction and esophageal body by measuring cross-sectional areas (CSAs) and corresponding pressures during volume distension.<br /><br />The results demonstrated that esophageal distensibility, measured as the change in the narrowest cross-sectional area against intra-luminal pressure, was significantly reduced in EoE patients compared to controls. This reduced distensibility was regardless of patients' eosinophil count, age, gender, or current proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment. The study found no correlation between the limiting caliber of the esophagus (distension plateau) and these factors, indicating that esophageal distensibility might serve as an independent measurement of the severity of EoE.<br /><br />The study concluded that EndoFLIP could accurately measure esophageal distensibility, offering insights into the structural remodeling and fibrosis associated with EoE. Esophageal distensibility could be an important measure in managing EoE, particularly for assessing the outcomes of medical or dilation therapies, thereby indicating the potential to enhance the clinical management of the condition. Future research is suggested to validate whether therapeutic interventions targeted at reducing inflammation and fibrosis can improve distensibility and patient symptoms, thereby offering a pathway to more effective treatments of EoE.

Keywords

Eosinophilic Esophagitis

EndoFLIP

esophageal distensibility

mechanical properties

cross-sectional areas

esophagogastric junction

structural remodeling

fibrosis

therapeutic interventions

clinical management