Allergic condition mistaken for severe food allergies on the rise
Experts suggest an allergic condition that mimics severe allergy is on the rise in teens and young adults, with researchers claiming it may take years for a correct diagnosis.
At the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology's (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting on Thursday (12 November), researchers detailed how eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an allergic condition of the esophagus, can often be mistaken for a food allergy.
The esophagus, also known as the oesophagus, is a muscular tube that connects the throat (pharynx) to the stomach.
People who have an allergic condition of the esophagus see a type of white blood cell called an eosinophil build up in the tube, causing swelling and irritation.
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Over time, this can make it difficult to swallow and can cause food to get stuck.
Other symptoms include tight throat, trouble swallowing, chest pain, and drooling, as per an ACAAI notice.
Two studies presented at the meeting looked at how EoE is often misdiagnosed, with one analysing 29 adults who had been sent to an allergist because doctors thought they experienced anaphylaxis.
Researchers found that on average, each patient had gone to the emergency room three times, and most had been given at least one dose of epinephrine.
However, testing found that they did not show a food allergy.
Instead, tissue samples taken from their esophagus showed that the patients had EoE, the notice read.
On average, it took more than five years for them to get the right diagnosis.
When EoE is incorrectly treated, scar tissue can build up and narrow the esophagus. This can increase the chance of narrowing by up to nine percent every year.
The second study used health records from more than 300 million patients in the US.
Experts discovered that more than 500,000 people had been given an EoE diagnosis, with males more likely to have the health issue than men.
Interestingly, people with several allergic conditions, such as asthma, hay fever, food allergies, and eczema, were much more likely to have EoE than those who didn't.
Researchers who analysed the data also found that among food allergies, wheat allergy had the strongest link.
Speaking on the two studies, allergist and lead author of the study Talal Nsouli said: “Not every frightening reaction after eating is anaphylaxis.
“Eosinophilic esophagitis can closely mimic food allergy and may lead to repeated emergency visits before the correct diagnosis is made. When throat tightness, difficulty swallowing or food impaction recur, especially with negative food allergy testing, we should think about EoE.
“Early recognition can prevent years of uncertainty and progressive esophageal damage.”
Ella Scott
