Clinical profile and characteristics of eosinophilic esophagitis patients presenting with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease in Makassar, Indonesia

Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a typical GERD that does not respond to Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) treatment for 8-12 weeks. One of the differential diagnoses for refractory GERD is eosinophilic esophagitis which is characterized by eosinophilic infiltration into the esophagus endothelium. However, to date, eosinophilic esophagitis is still poorly understood and data is still limited. The aim was to describe the profile and characteristics of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis presenting with refractory GERD in Makassar, Indonesia. This descriptive study involved patients with refractory GERD from two hospitals. In addition to basic demographic data, history, and body mass index, all subjects underwent peripheral blood tests to measure eosinophil level and flexible esophagoscopy, from which esophageal biopsy was done to assess the tissue eosinophil level. Eosinophilic esophagitis was established based on the examination of >15 eosinophils/high power field. Out of 32 subjects, two subjects were diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis (6.3%). Both subjects were male with normal BMI in the age range of 36-55 years and none had peripheral blood eosinophilia. Symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis were similar to refractory GERD. Peripheral blood eosinophilia was not associated with incidence of eosinophilic esophagitis.