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

Abstract

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; p = 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.

Keywords: Eosinophilic esophagitis; adult; quality of life; questionnaire.