Implementation of a biopsy protocol to improve detection of esophageal eosinophilia: a Danish registry-based study

Anne Lund Krarup; Asbjørn Mohr Drewes; Per Ejstrud; Peter Thaysen Laurberg; Mogens Vyberg

doi:10.1055/a-1206-0852

Endoscopy, Table of Contents

Endoscopy 2021; 53(01): 15-24
DOI: 10.1055/a-1206-0852

Original article

Implementation of a biopsy protocol to improve detection of esophageal eosinophilia: a Danish registry-based study

Anne Lund Krarup

¹Department of Neurogastroenterological Research, Department of Medicine and Centre for Clinical Research, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Hjørring, Denmark

²Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark

,

Asbjørn Mohr Drewes

²Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark

³MechSense, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark

,

Per Ejstrud

⁴Department of Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark

,

Peter Thaysen Laurberg

¹Department of Neurogastroenterological Research, Department of Medicine and Centre for Clinical Research, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Hjørring, Denmark

,

Mogens Vyberg

²Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark

⁵Institute of Pathology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Background In the North Denmark Region (580 272 inhabitants), only 0–4 cases of possible eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) were identified annually in 1999–2010, suggesting underdiagnosis. This study aimed to increase the diagnosis of EoE by introducing a regional biopsy protocol for patients with dysphagia.

Methods In 2011, leaders of regional endoscopy units attended a consensus meeting where a biopsy protocol was proposed. The national pathology registry was used to identify patients with esophageal eosinophilic inflammation during 2007–2017.

Results Discussion resulted in consensus on a protocol to take eight biopsy samples in dysphagia patients (four biopsies from 4 cm and 14 cm above the esophagogastric junction–“4–14–4 rule”) regardless of the macroscopic appearance, and to code eosinophilia systematically in the pathology registry. A pictogram showing the 4–14–4 rule was sent to all endoscopy units. The number of patients with esophageal eosinophilia detected per year increased 50-fold after the protocol was implemented in 2011 (median of 1 [interquartile range 0–3] vs. 52 [47–56]; P < 0.001), and the number of biopsy samples per patient doubled (median 4 [4–5] vs. 8 [6–9]; P < 0.04). Of 309 patients diagnosed with esophageal eosinophilia in 2007–2017, 24 % had erosive esophagitis or Barrett’s esophagus, and 74 % had EoE.

Conclusions A consensus-based biopsy protocol and improved coding of eosinophilia in the pathology registry resulted in a 50-fold increase in patients diagnosed with esophageal eosinophilia/year. These patients can now receive treatment. The effort to establish the protocol and change the culture of endoscopists and pathologists was minimal.

Full Text

References

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