Management of proton pump inhibitor responsive-esophageal eosinophilia and eosinophilic esophagitis: controversies in treatment approaches

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune mediated clinicopathologic disease. The prevalence of EoE is approximately 1/2000 persons, EoE is now the most common cause of food impactions, and health care expenditures approach $1 billion annually. This paper will discuss challenges related to proton pump inhibitor responsive esophageal eosinophilia (PPI-REE), including distinguishing this condition from EoE and understanding mechanisms of the PPI response. For EoE, we will review multiple ongoing debates about treatment and monitoring strategies, including selecting treatment outcomes, optimizing medication formulations, approaching the steroid-refractory patient, conducting dietary elimination, prescribing long-term maintenance therapy, and performing esophageal dilation.