Open AccessPrevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis in a U nited S tates military health‐care population
Author(s) -
Ally M. R.,
Maydonovitch C. L.,
Betteridge J. D.,
Veerappan G. R.,
Moawad F. J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
diseases of the esophagus
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.115
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-2050
pISSN - 1120-8694
DOI - 10.1111/dote.12229
Subject(s) - medicine , eosinophilic esophagitis , odds ratio , population , confidence interval , health care , demography , prevalence , socioeconomic status , pediatrics , environmental health , disease , sociology , economics , economic growth
Summary Eosinophilic esophagitis ( EoE ) is a rapidly emerging chronic immune‐mediated condition affecting children and adults, both genders, and all races. A large variation in the prevalence of EoE exists in the literature. The aim of this study is to establish the prevalence of EoE in a military health‐care population in the U nited S tates using a comprehensive electronic medical record search. Using the International C lassification for D iseases‐9 code for EoE (530.13), the total number of EoE patients enrolled in the military health‐care system from O ctober 1, 2008 to S eptember 30, 2009 including active‐duty military, dependents of military personnel, and retirees were identified. For each case of EoE identified, demographic data (age, gender, and race) and geographic location was obtained. The overall prevalence of EoE was calculated as well as the prevalence within subgroups. The geographic regional locations were reported per the U . S . C ensus B ureau regions ( N ortheast, S outh, M idwest, and W est). A total of 987 EoE patients were identified from 10 180 515 military health‐care beneficiaries, establishing an overall prevalence of 9.7 per 100 000 (95% confidence interval [ CI ] 9.1–10.3). Seven hundred twenty‐eight out of 7 707 372 adult patients were identified, establishing a prevalence of 9.5 per 100 000 (95% CI 8.8–10.1). Two hundred fifty‐nine out of 2 473 143 pediatric patients were identified, establishing a prevalence of 10.5/100 000 (95% CI 9.2–11.8). EoE was more prevalent in males (odds ratio [ OR ] 2.03 [95% CI 1.78–2.32]) and higher in C aucasian versus A frican A mericans (18.1 vs. 5.2/100 000, OR 3.47 [95% CI 2.40–5.03]). EoE was more prevalent in the W estern region of the U nited S tates compared with the N ortheast, S outh, and M idwest regions, with a prevalence of 11.9 versuss 5.2, 9.6, and 9.2 per 100 000, respectively. When comparing N orthern with S outhern states, there was an increased prevalence in the N orth (10.9 vs. 7.2/100 000, P < 0.05). In this large nationwide study, increase in prevalence of EoE was seen in younger adults, with a higher prevalence in C aucasians. Geographically, the western U nited S tates had a significantly higher prevalence with a slightly higher prevalence in the N orthern latitude.