ED visits for EoE appear to vary by season
Visits to the ED for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) among U.S. adults peaked in summer (especially on weekends) and fell in winter, were consistent across all regions, and were unaffected by rural versus urban settings, a study found.
Seasonal dietary habits and social behaviors likely contribute to eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) exacerbations, according to a recent study.
Researchers used the National Emergency Department Sample (2016-2021) to study 18,791 EoE-related ED visits, stratified by season. Spring was defined as March to May, summer as June to August, fall as September to November, and winter as December to February. Results were published by The American Journal of Gastroenterology on Nov. 26.
Most of the included patients were male (73.2%), White (92.6%), and 18 to 44 years old (61.9%), and most ED visits for EoE occurred in urban areas (90.9%) and at teaching hospitals (65.5%). Esophageal foreign body was the most common reason for ED presentation (86.8%). ED visits peaked in summer and decreased in winter, with a tendency toward more weekend presentations, although this was not statistically significant (adjusted odds ratio, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.37). The increase in EoE ED visits seen during the summer was consistent across all regions, with no significant differences in seasonal variation among the Northeast, Midwest, South, and West. In addition, there was no significant difference between rural and urban locations.
Clinicians should emphasize EoE management strategies during high-risk periods, particularly summer months and weekends, the study authors concluded. They noted that outdoor activities and social gatherings where dietary adherence may be challenging could trigger acute EoE exacerbations. “Commonly consumed foods at these events, such as grilled meats and allergen-rich dishes, are known triggers for esophageal food impactions, which accounted for 86.8% of our ED visits,” they wrote. They called for future research using patient-level data to help develop targeted interventions.