Blood tests and histological correlates in children with eosinophilic oesophagitis

Abstract

Aim: To determine the relationship between blood tests and oesophageal histology in Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE).

Methods: All children diagnosed with EoE at one hospital from 2000 to 2009 were considered for inclusion in this study. Three blood test results were analysed, blood eosinophil count, serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and radioallergosorbent tests (RAST) to common food allergens. Oesophageal histology was prospectively re-reviewed, and mean eosinophil counts were enumerated. Blood test results were correlated with oesophageal eosinophil counts using Spearman's rank test.

Results: Forty children (70% boys) were included in this study, median age at diagnosis 6.5 years (range 0-15). At the time of diagnosis, 78% of children had a raised blood eosinophil count, 90% had a raised serum total IgE and 83% had one or more positive RAST tests. The mean oesophageal eosinophil count was significantly correlated with both blood eosinophil count (p=0.008) and serum total IgE level (p=0.008).

Conclusion: This study shows that blood tests are often abnormal in children with EoE at the time of diagnosis. Our data demonstrate an association between histological abnormalities and blood test results in children with EoE.