Combined Food Allergies, Eosinophilic Esophagitis May Weaken PPI Response

The presence of food allergies in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) was associated with a decreased likelihood of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) response, according to study results presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW), held from May 21 to 24, 2022, in San Diego, California, and virtually.

The retrospective analysis included patients with EoE who underwent testing for environmental and food allergens at a tertiary care center. EoE was defined as more than 15 eosinophils/hpf on esophageal mucosal biopsies at index endoscopy. After satisfying inclusion criteria, 61 patients were included in the analysis.

When controlling for age, gender, and comorbid asthma, the investigators found that food allergies were independently associated with decreased patient response to PPIs (odds ratio, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.04-0.65). Study results also showed that 21.4% of patients with food allergies had PPI responsive disease compared with 63.2% of patients without food allergies (P=.003); however, environmental allergies did not have a significant association with PPI response (P=.13).

“Further studies are needed to explore both the pathophysiological basis and therapeutic implications of PPI-non responsiveness in patients with food allergies. Providers may consider closer follow up or alternative initial therapy in patients with known food allergies and EOE,” the investigators noted.

Reference

Muftah M, Flanagan R, Redd WD, Jenkins A, Chan W. Food allergies are associated with PPI non-response in eosinophilic esophagitis. Presented at: DDW 2022; May 21-24, 2022; San Diego, CA. Abstract Su1180.

This article originally appeared on Gastroenterology Advisor