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Real Talk: Eosinophilic Diseases


Mar 22, 2022

Many patients diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) are initially diagnosed with food allergies. What is the relationship between food allergies and EoE, and what is the research available on this topic? In this episode, host Ryan Piansky, guest host Mary Jo Strobel, and Dr. Ruchi Gupta discuss the co-morbidity of EoE and food allergies.  

Dr. Ruchi Gupta is a Professor of Pediatrics & Medicine at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Clinical Attending at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, and Director at the Center for Food Allergy & Asthma Research (CFAAR). She is world-renowned for her research on the epidemiology, economic impact, prevention, and management of allergic conditions, and strives to find answers and shape policies surrounding these conditions in order to reduce the burden and improve health equity. As a mother of a child with food allergies, Dr. Gupta also brings a personal perspective to the discussion.

 

In this episode, Dr. Gupta shares information about food allergies and EoE, the similarities and differences between them, and some of the available treatment options. She also highlights how treatments may differ for food allergies vs EoE, and the cases in which oral immunotherapy can cause or exacerbate EoE. Tune in to find out more about allergic diseases and their relationship to EoE, and to get advice on managing food allergies and EoE.

 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is designed to support, not replace the relationship that exists between listeners and their healthcare providers. Opinions, information, and recommendations shared in this podcast are not a substitute for medical advice. Decisions related to medical care should be made with your healthcare provider. Opinions and views of guests and co-hosts are their own.

 

Key Takeaways:

[1:22] Ryan introduces the guest for this episode, Dr. Ruchi Gupta.

[2:05] What is Dr. Gupta’s experience with allergic conditions?

[3:30] How do food allergies and EoE differ?

[4:51] EoE is more challenging to diagnose than food allergies.

[6:25] What is the difference in treatments for EoE and food allergies?

[9:47] Ryan shares some of his experiences with EoE and being on an elimination diet.

[10:37] Eliminating foods and reintroducing them again slowly is a treatment option for EoE, as is oral immunotherapy for some people with food allergies. What is the difference in how these treatments work for EoE vs. food allergies?

[14:14] There is some indication that EoE can develop among some patients who undergo peanut oral immunotherapy (OIT). How common is it?

[15:38] Is this phenomenon something that is specific to peanut OIT, or does it happen with OIT for other allergens as well?

[17:31] Is there enough of a risk of developing EoE from OIT that people are routinely counseled before starting the treatment?

[19:22] What are some of the associations Dr. Gupta discovered in her research?

[22:37] A number of different conditions came up as being associated with EoE. Which of them were surprising to Dr. Gupta?

[23:37] Ryan shares a little about his dietary restrictions and food allergies currently.

[25:38] Medical diets can be pretty effective for people with EoE but sometimes it’s hard for families to adhere to. What are some challenges Dr. Gupta’s family has had with medical diets and what is her advice for people who may be new to that kind of food avoidance?

[28:02] Dr. Gupta speaks to the importance of building a community around you.

[32:54] Dr. Gupta recently published a new book, Food Without Fear. What is the book about, and what was Dr. Gupta’s inspiration for it?

[35:49] What’s next for Dr. Gupta?

[37:24] Dr. Gupta shares some final thoughts for listeners.

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED)

APFED on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram

Dr. Ruchi Gupta

Food Without Fear, by Dr. Ruchi Gupta

EOS Connections Online Community

 

This episode is brought to you thanks to the support of our Education Partners Abbott, Bristol Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, and Mead Johnson Nutrition.

 

Tweetables:

“EoE is a little bit more challenging to diagnose [than food allergies].” — Dr. Gupta

 

“The type of EoE that a lot of people developed when they started oral immunotherapy tends to disappear once they stop.” — Dr. Gupta

 

“How do you standardize treatment options for patients because they all have different pieces that make it really challenging?” — Dr. Gupta

 

“Medical diets can be pretty effective for people with eosinophilic esophagitis. But sometimes it’s hard for families to adhere to.” — Ryan

 

“It has allowed them to become better advocates for themselves and that’s not only for their condition but for life.” — Dr. Gupta

 

“One of the most inspiring ones that I’ve heard more than once is ‘This is one part of me, this does not define me.’” — Mary Jo