Utility of gastric and duodenal biopsy sampling in adult eosinophilic esophagitis patients to rule out other gastrointestinal disorders

Rationale According to consensus guidelines, if eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is suspected, not only esophageal but also gastric and duodenal biopsy specimens should be sampled in order to exclude other generalized or eosinophilic gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, such as eosinophilic gastroenteritis or celiac disease. However, the diagnostic yield for this remains unclear. Aim To assess the diagnostic yield of biopsy sampling from the stomach and duodenum in adult EoE patients to rule out generalized or eosinophilic GI disorders. Methods A retrospective chart-review was conducted in untreated adult EoE patients that underwent upper endoscopy with biopsies sampled from the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. Standardized (electronic) case-report forms were used to extract clinical, endoscopic and histologic data. Results In total, 93 adults (71% males, age 36.4 (interquartile range 28.4 - 49.1) years) with untreated EoE (>= 15 eosinophils/high-power-field) were included. Symptoms of dysphagia and food impaction were reported in 93% and 58%, respectively of the patients. Typical endoscopic EoE-features were present in 77 (85%) patients. The yield of routinely sampled gastric and duodenal biopsy specimens in our cohort was 3.6% (95% confidence interval: 2.6-4.8%) (n/N = 1/93) for a relevant other generalized or eosinophilic GI diagnosis and 30% for other histological diagnosis such as non-specific or H. Pylori gastritis. In total, 62 (67%) patients presented with other GI symptoms and/or endoscopic abnormalities of the stomach and/or duodenum - which both may be suggestive for other relevant GI conditions. The diagnostic yield for a relevant generalized or eosinophilic GI disorder in this subgroup was, 4.8% (95%CI 3.4 - 6.7%) (n/N = 1/62). Conclusion Gastric and duodenal biopsy specimens seem to have limited diagnostic value for the exclusion of generalized or eosinophilic GI disorders in adults with EoE.