Concurrent Celiac Disease and Eosinophilic Esophagitis in a Pediatric Cohort: More Than a Coincidence

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2024 Nov;63(11):1573-1578. doi: 10.1177/00099228241232876. Epub 2024 Feb 19.

Abstract

Celiac disease (CeD) and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) are immune-mediated disorders that can occur in the same patient. A retrospective study at a tertiary care hospital was conducted to determine the prevalence of EoE in a pediatric population with CeD and to compare characteristics of patients with both diseases to patients with CeD-only. Among the 148 patients with CeD identified in the study, 11 patients had both CeD and EoE (7.4%). Patients with both CeD and EoE had a higher absolute eosinophil count (per μL) at diagnosis compared to patients with CeD-only (454.1 ± 122.7 vs 231.9 ± 19.4, P = .003). In conclusion, there was a higher proportion of EoE in patients with CeD than would be expected in the general population, suggesting a potential pathophysiological overlap between the 2 diseases. An elevated peripheral absolute eosinophil count may help predict which patients with CeD may additionally have EoE.

Keywords: absolute eosinophil count; association; biopsy; endoscopy; prevalence.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Celiac Disease* / complications
  • Celiac Disease* / diagnosis
  • Celiac Disease* / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis* / complications
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis* / diagnosis
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis* / epidemiology
  • Eosinophils
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies