Esophagus

Esophageal Eosinophilia is Increased in Rural Areas With Low Population Density: Results From a National Pathology Database

Jensen, Elizabeth T PhD1, 2; Hoffman, Kate PhD, MSES, MPA2; Shaheen, Nicholas J MD, MPH1, 3; Genta, Robert M MD4, 5, 6; Dellon, Evan S MD, MPH1, 3, 6

Author Information

1 Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

2 Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

3 Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

4 Miraca Life Sciences Research Institute, Irving, Texas, USA

5 Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA

6 The last two authors are co-last authors

Correspondence: Evan S. Dellon, MD, MPH, CB#7080, Bioinformatics Building, 130 Mason Farm Road, UNC-CH, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7080, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL accompanies this paper at https://links.lww.com/AJG/A931

Received 25 September 2013; accepted 7 February 2014

published online 25 March 2014

American Journal of Gastroenterology 109(5):p 668-675, May 2014. | DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2014.47

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: 

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an increasingly prevalent chronic disease arising from an allergy/immune-mediated process. Generally, the risk of atopic disease differs in rural and urban environments. The relationship between population density and EoE is unknown. Our aim was to assess the relationship between EoE and population density.

METHODS: 

We conducted a cross-sectional, case–control study of patients with esophageal biopsies in a US national pathology database between January 2009 and June 2012 to assess the relationship between population density and EoE. Using geographic information systems, the population density (individuals per square mile) was determined for each patient zip code. The odds of esophageal eosinophilia and EoE were estimated for each quintile of population density and adjusted for potential confounders. Sensitivity analyses were conducted with varying case definitions and to evaluate the potential for bias from endoscopy volume and patient factors.

RESULTS: 

Of 292,621 unique patients in the source population, 89,754 had normal esophageal biopsies and 14,381 had esophageal eosinophilia with ≥15 eosinophils per high-power field. The odds of having esophageal eosinophilia increased with decreasing population density (Pfor trend <0.001). Compared with those in the highest quintile of population density, odds of having esophageal eosinophilia were significantly higher among those in the lowest quintile of population density (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18, 1.36). A similar dose–response trend was observed across case definitions with increased odds of EoE in the lowest population density quintile (aOR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.45–1.76). Estimates were robust to sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS: 

Population density is strongly and inversely associated with esophageal eosinophilia and EoE. This association is robust to varying case definitions and adjustment factors. Environmental exposures that are more prominent in rural areas may be relevant to the pathogenesis of EoE.

© The American College of Gastroenterology 2014. All Rights Reserved.

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