Food impaction: Etiology over 35 years and association with eosinophilic esophagitis

SUMMARY. With the emergence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) as a common cause of food impaction (FI) and a presumed increase in incidence of EoE in the population, the effect on the incidence of FI has not been well described. The aim of this study is to describe the incidence of FI and endoscopic findings in these patients and the association with EoE. A population-based retrospective chart review of the Rochester Epidemiology Project database was performed to identify all patients within Olmsted County that presented with FI from 1976 to 2012. A review of all endoscopic findings, biopsy results, and demographic data was performed. 497 patients were identified with FI from 1976 to 2012. The overall incidence of FI has changed from 1976 to 2012 (Fig. 1) (P < 0.001). The peak incidence of 17.12 per 100,000 people occurred in the time period 1995 to 2000. Both the incidence of comorbid gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use increased over the time period of the study (P < 0.001 for both). Of these patients, 188 (46.7%) had no abnormalities on their endoscopy. The most common endoscopic finding was stricture in 71 (17.6%) patients followed closely by Schatzki’s ring in 68 (16.9%) patients. 139 patients had biopsies performed within 2 years of FI and 50 (36.0%) of those were diagnosed with EoE. We present for the first time the changing incidence of FI over the last 35 years in a population-based setting. We also demonstrate the rise of EoE as an important clinical consideration in patients with FI.