Increasing Prevalence and Incidence of Eosinophilic Esophagitis Globally

Given reports on the rising global incidence and prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and the associated societal impact, investigators conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide accurate estimates of its incidence and prevalence.

In a comprehensive search of multiple databases, the investigators found 40 eligible studies from 15 countries across 5 continents. These studies involved more than 288 million participants and 147,668 patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). 

The global pooled incidence of EoE was estimated to be 5.31 cases per 100,000 inhabitant-years (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.98-6.63), based on 27 studies and a sample population of 42.2 million individuals. The global pooled prevalence of EoE was estimated to be 40.04 cases per 100,000 inhabitant-years (95% CI, 31.10-48.98), based on 20 studies and a sample population of 30.5 million individuals. 

The incidence and prevalence rates of EoE were higher in high-income countries, males, and North America compared with low- or middle-income countries, females, Europe, and Asia. The prevalence of EoE gradually increased from 1976 to 2022, with estimates of 8.18 (3.67-12.69) cases per 100,000 inhabitant-years from 1976 to 2001 and 74.42 (39.66-109.19) cases per 100,000 inhabitant-years from 2017 to 2022.