Determinant factors of quality of life in adult patients with eosinophilic esophagitis.

BACKGROUND

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Data on determinant factors and the influence of dietary interventions are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this article is to evaluate factors influencing HRQoL in adult EoE patients.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter observational, cross-sectional study. A validated Spanish version of the self-administered Adult Eosinophilic Esophagitis Quality of Life (EoE-QoL-A) questionnaire and specific surveys were used. Multiple linear regression was used to identify and quantify determinant factors of HRQoL.

RESULTS

Responses provided by 170 patients were assessed (73.5% male; mean age 33.5 ± 11.4 years). Overall mean score for the EoE-QoL-A index was 1.4 ± 0.8, with no differences between patients on dietary or pharmacological therapy (1.82 ± 0.8 vs. 1.62 ± 0.8;  = 0.132). Disease anxiety showed the highest mean score (2.13 ± 0.9 points), followed by choking anxiety (1.97 ± 1.1); social impact (1.77 ± 1.1), and diet/eating impact (1.68 ± 0.9). Emotional impact had the lowest rating (1.15 ± 0.9), and only with a significantly worse score in patients under dietary restrictions. Recurrent food impaction, a higher educational level, dietary interventions and symptom duration were all independent determinant factors significantly impairing HRQoL. Female gender and empiric elimination diets negatively influenced on diet/eating impact.

CONCLUSION

Recurrent food impaction, dietary interventions and symptom duration are the most important factors influencing the perception of HRQoL in adults with EoE.