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World J Gastroenterol. Sep 7, 2012; 18(33): 4466-4469
Published online Sep 7, 2012. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i33.4466
Confounding factors affect the pathophysiology of eosinophilic esophagitis
Yoram Elitsur
Yoram Elitsur, Department of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology Division, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25701, United States
Author contributions: Elitsur Y solely contributed to this manuscript.
Correspondence to: Yoram Elitsur, MD, Professor in Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology Division, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1600 Medical Center Drive, Huntington, WV 25701, United States. elitsur@marshall.edu
Telephone: +1-304-6911300 Fax: +1-304-6911375
Received: June 20, 2012
Revised: August 1, 2012
Accepted: August 3, 2012
Published online: September 7, 2012
Abstract

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a newly diagnosed esophageal disease in adult and children. The clinical and pathological characteristics of this disease have been established and were recently summarized in the expert clinical guideline published in 2011. In spite of the wide knowledge accumulated on this disease, there are many areas where scientific data are missing, especially in regard to the disease’s pathophysiology. Recent publications have suggested that other confounding factors modify the disease and may affect its clinical-phenotypic presentation. Those factors may include place of living, air pollution, race, genetic factors and other. In the present report we discussed and review those confounding factors, the new developments, and what direction we should go to further advance our knowledge of this disease.

Keywords: Eosinophilic esophagitis; Confounding factors; Race; Gender; Environment