Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Academic Term
Fall 2014
Document Type
Project
Course Number
NURS 5330
Course Name
Advanced Pathophysiology
Professor’s Name
John D. Chovan, James R. Cacchillo
Keywords
Eosinophilic Esophagitis, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Subject Categories
Digestive System Diseases | Medical Pathology | Nursing
Abstract
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is differentiated from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) by endoscopic and histopathologic examination. The hallmark of EE is eosinophilic infiltration of the esophagus. EE has been defined as “a clinicopathologic entity, combining clinical data on (1) relevant symptoms (distinct in the pediatric or adult populations with mostly food impaction and dysphagia in adults and feeding intolerance, failure to thrive, and GERD symptoms in children); (2) esophageal biopsies with adequate histologic findings in the esophageal biopsies (>15 eosinophils/high power field [HPF]); and (3) exclusion of other diseases with overlapping features, especially GERD” (Genevay, Rubbia-Brandt, & Rougemont, 2010, p.816). Under normal circumstances, the esophageal mucosa is devoid of resident eosinophils, however there are certain disease states in which eosinophils infiltrate into and accumulate within the esophageal mucosa. EE and GERD are two of these disease states, with lower numbers of infiltrating eosinophils in GERD, and more numerous eosinophils in EE.
Recommended Citation
Elam, Cody, "Does Your Child Have Reflux or Could There be More to it Than That" (2014). Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN). 2.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_msn/2