The incidence of eosinophilic oesophagitis in 2007-2017 among children in North Denmark Region is lower than expected

BACKGROUND: In North Denmark Region (NDR), the incidence of Eosinophilic Oesophagitis (EoE) among adults has increased following a new biopsy protocol in 2011, whereas data on the incidence of EoE among children is lacking.

AIMS: To describe the incidence of EoE in children aged 0-17 in NDR as well as diagnostic delay, clinical manifestations, treatment and complications.

METHODS: This retrospective, register-based DanEoE cohort study included 18 children diagnosed with EoE between 2007-2017 in NDR. Medical files were reviewed with attention to symptoms, reason for referral, disease progress, treatment, symptomatic and histological remission as well as diagnostic delay.

RESULTS: The median incidence per year (2007-2017) was 0.86/100,000 children in NDR aged 0-17 years. The median diagnostic delay among children was four years and six months. Sixty percent presented with food impaction at first hospital visit. After initial treatment, only one of 18 children achieved symptomatic and histologic remission and had a long-term treatment plan.

CONCLUSIONS: The calculated incidence among children was lower compared to similar studies. Combined with poor remission rates and lack of follow-up, it is likely that EoE is an underdiagnosed and insufficiently treated disease among children in NDR. Our findings suggest that more knowledge concerning EoE in children could lead to a higher incidence, shorter diagnostic delay and more effective treatment.