About Eosinophilic Disorders

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A group of uncommon chronic illnesses, eosinophil (E-0-’si-n-o-’fil) associated disorders, are rapidly emerging as a healthcare problem worldwide. Yet, many patients suffering from these disorders go undiagnosed for years due to a lack of information or awareness of these diseases.

What is an Eosinophil?

A type of white blood cell associated with allergies, parasites, and cancers

What are Eosinophil Associated Disorders?

· High numbers of eosinophils accumulate in body tissues causing inflammation and damage

· Classified by body tissue where eosinophils accumulate

· Diagnosed and monitored by tissue biopsies

· Chronic diseases requiring long term treatment, with no known cure

· Debilitating diseases leading to missed work, school, social outings

· Delays in diagnosis are common

Eosinophilic Esophagitis

· Causes inflammation and damage to the esophagus, affecting the ability to eat

· Estimated prevalence of more than 1 per 2000

· Increase in new cases (2 – 10 fold) over the past 10 years

· Patients may depend on steroids or medical nutrition therapy through a feeding tube

Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis (EGE), and Eosinophilic Gastritis (EG)

· Causes inflammation and damage to the stomach and/or small intestine, often misdiagnosed

· Estimated prevalence of EGE and EC combined is 1 per 3500

· Causes severe abdominal pain, forceful vomiting and/or diarrhea

· Treatment may involve a limited diet, feeding tube and/ or steroids

Eosinophilic Colitis (EC)

· Causes inflammation and damage to the large intestine (colon)

· Often misdiagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Crohn’s disease

· Patients may require restricted diet therapy, elemental formula or chronic steroids

Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES)

· Diagnosed by very high numbers of eosinophils in the blood and tissue

· Causes potentially fatal damage to one or more organs in the body (heart, lungs, gut, skin)

Churg-Strauss Syndrome (CSS)

· Eosinophils cause damage to small to medium blood vessels (vasculitis)

· Patient may initially be diagnosed with severe asthma

· Causes potentially fatal lung, heart, brain or gastrointestinal damage

· Estimated to be 60-80 CSS cases/million asthmatics/year

Symptoms

Symptoms of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders (EGID) can vary depending on the part of the GI tract affected, and may include:

· Reflux that does not respond to usual therapy (which includes proton pump inhibitors, a medicine which stops acid production)

· Dysphasia (difficulty swallowing)

· Food impactions (food gets stuck in the esophagus)

· Anorexia (poor appetite)

· Nausea and Vomiting

· Diarrhea

· Blood in stool

· Failure to thrive (poor growth, malnutrition, or weight loss)

· Abdominal or chest pain

· Gastroparesis (delayed emptying of the stomach)

· Bloating

· Anemia

· Malnutrition

· Difficulty sleeping

What is the Role of APFED?

· 501(c)3 non-profit lay advocacy organization for those living with eosinophilic disorders

· Mission: Awareness, Education, Support and Research

· Raise funds for research through a peer-reviewed grant program

©American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders, 2010. Reproduced with permission. The content of this page may not be reproduced in whole or in part, without written permission from APFED

To learn more about Eosinophilic Disorders, please visit APFED:

Website: www.apfed.org

Facebook: APFED - American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders

Twitter: APFEDorg

Eosinophilic Disorders

Learn more about these emerging disorders.

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Last modified: January 25, 2012

Racing for a Cause is an awareness and fundraising program under the direct supervision of APFED. All donations through Racing for a Cause go directly to

APFED to be specifically designated towards the education of physicians and the general public about Eosinophilic Disorders.

APFED is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to patients and their families coping with eosinophilic disorders. APFED strives to expand education,

create awareness, and fund research while promoting advocacy among its members.

Join Gus the Esophagus as he explains Eosinophilic Disorders in a simple to understand video.

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