A RECENT survey of adults in the United States living with eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) has highlighted the significant day-to-day burden this chronic condition imposes, in a study presented at the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Congress 2025.
While the prevalence of EoE continues to rise globally, less attention has been given to how patients experience and cope with the disease in real life. This study aimed to fill that gap by examining symptoms and coping mechanisms through a detailed patient survey.
The survey, conducted between July–November 2024, included 234 adult respondents with confirmed EoE diagnoses. The average age at diagnosis was 38, with patients having lived with the condition for a median of nearly six years. Many also reported substantial diagnostic delays, with symptoms often going unrecognised for years.
Symptoms experienced over the past week were common and impactful, with over half of the participants reporting dysphagia, nearly half experiencing heartburn, and over 40% dealing with regurgitation. Patients rated their symptom frequency and severity using the EoE Symptom Questionnaire, with median scores indicating a persistent though variable level of discomfort.
To cope with their symptoms, patients frequently employed a range of adaptive behaviours. These included drinking fluids with meals, cutting food into small pieces, avoiding specific trigger foods, and taking longer to eat. A notable 88% of respondents used such behaviours at least weekly, and 73% relied on them daily. These strategies, while helpful in reducing discomfort, underscore the ongoing challenges patients face in managing daily life with EoE.
In terms of treatment, the majority had used proton pump inhibitors, and around 40% had experience with swallowed liquid steroids. More than half had tried an elimination diet, although fewer continued these approaches in the month leading up to the survey.
Overall, the findings reveal that despite available treatments, EoE continues to have a considerable impact on patients’ lives, with most resorting to daily coping mechanisms. This highlights the need for more effective and sustainable treatment options that address both symptoms and quality of life.
Reference
Chehade M et al. Cross-Sectional Real-World Survey of Adult Patients with Eosinophilic Oesophagitis: Symptom Burden and Adaptive Behaviours. Abstract 000541. EAACI Congress, 13-16 June, 2025.
