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An elimination diet resulted in 40% of eosinophilic esophagitis patients achieving a histologic response, which was maintained in 20% after two years of treatment.

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Dr. Craig Reed
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Dr. Evon Dellon

(Republished from the UNC division of gastroenterology and hepatology)

he cause of eosinophilic esophagitis is multifactorial. However, predictable clinical and histologic responses to food elimination diets underscore the role of food antigens in the disease. In this study, UNC GI researchers led by Drs. Craig Reed and Evan Dellon assessed 52 patients treated with a food elimination diet for an average of 25 months. Overall, histologic response (defined as < 15 eosinophils per high-power field on repeat esophageal biopsy) was seen by 6 weeks in 21 patients. Subsequently, 10 of the 21 treatment responders maintained histologic remission on a food elimination diet. Noncompliance or planned food reintroduction was identified as the cause of loss of response in 8 of 11 patients. As such, food elimination diets represent a durable long-term treatment devoid of drug-related side effects in patients who main committed to the strategy. A link to the study abstract is available here.