Publications by authors named "Alex Straumann"

Background And Aims: Budesonide orodispersible tablets (BOT) have been shown to be safe and effective in phase 3 double-blind trials of induction and 48-week maintenance therapy of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). We now analyzed the long-term efficacy and safety of BOT in a 96-week open-label extension (OLE) study.

Methods: All EoE patients in the 48-week double-blind maintenance study were eligible to receive BOT treatment for up to 96 weeks.

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Background: EsoCap is a thin mucoadhesive film designed to target the oesophageal mucosa. The device loaded with mometasone furoate (ESO-101) is under investigation for the treatment of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE).

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of ESO-101 in patients with active EoE.

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The prevalence of many chronic noncommunicable diseases has been steadily rising over the past six decades. During this time, over 350,000 new chemical substances have been introduced to the lives of humans. In recent years, the epithelial barrier theory came to light explaining the growing prevalence and exacerbations of these diseases worldwide.

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Introduction: The Swiss Eosinophilic Esophagitis Cohort Study (SEECS) is a national cohort that was established in 2015 with the aim of improving quality of care of affected adults with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Between 2020 and 2022, paper questionnaires were gradually replaced by fully electronic data capture using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) software. We aim to provide an update of the SEECS 8 years after its launch.

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Background And Aims: Dysphagia is the hallmark symptom in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). However, data are limited regarding the overall prevalence and potential implications of atypical symptoms like odynophagia and retrosternal pain.

Methods: Patients enrolled into the Swiss EoE cohort study (SEECS) were analyzed regarding the presence of odynophagia and retrosternal pain.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) involves symptoms of esophageal dysfunction along with eosinophil tissue infiltration, which can be classified as active or non-active EoE using an EoE Diagnostic Panel (EDP) based on 77 genes.
  • - Researchers analyzed biopsies from patients with both active and non-active EoE, as well as healthy controls, using RNA sequencing to establish a new diagnostic gene expression panel called the Histologically Active EoE Diagnostic Panel (HAEDP), identifying 53 key genes.
  • - The study suggests that combining the HAEDP with the EDP could enhance the accuracy of EoE diagnosis and improve understanding of the disease's inflammatory
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Adult patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) typically present with a history of dysphagia for solids, sometimes with additional reflux-like pain and a history of prior food impactions. In contrast to these alarming symptoms, the general appearance and physical examination of adult patients with EoE is in line with apparently healthy individuals. Therefore, the diagnosis is based on a history of solid-food dysphagia and eosinophilic tissue infiltration.

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Introduction: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) variants have been recently characterized as conditions with symptoms of esophageal dysfunction resembling EoE, but absence of significant esophageal eosinophilia. Their disease course and severity have yet to be determined.

Methods: Patients from 6 EoE centers with symptoms of esophageal dysfunction, but peak eosinophil counts of <15/hpf in esophageal biopsies and absence of gastroesophageal reflux disease with at least one follow-up visit were included.

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Although mostly accentuated in the distal esophagus, distribution of esophageal eosinophilia in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) seems to be nonuniform. Disease extent has been associated with disease severity and disease progression in inflammatory bowel disease. Whether the same holds true for EoE remains largely unknown.

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Introduction: It is still unknown whether eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) patients with localized disease are different from those with extended disease.

Methods: We evaluated prospectively included patients in the Swiss EoE cohort. Data on all patients with active disease at baseline, no concomitant gastroesophageal reflux disease, no strictures at baseline, and at least one follow-up visit were analyzed.

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Introduction: There is a complex interrelationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) potentially promoting the occurrence and modulating severity of each other reciprocally. Presence of Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a defining factor for the diagnosis of GERD. While several studies investigated the potential impact of concomitant GERD on the presentation and course of EoE, little was known with regards to BE in EoE patients.

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Having long been considered the mainstay in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) diagnosis and pathogenesis, the role of eosinophils has been questioned and might be less important than previously thought. It is well known now that EoE is a Th2-mediated disease with many more disease features than eosinophilic infiltration. With more knowledge on EoE, less pronounced phenotypes or nuances of the disease have become apparent.

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Background & Aims: There are no studies or recommendations on optimal monitoring strategies for patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Our objective was to develop guidance on how to monitor patients with EoE in routine clinical practice, on the basis of available clinical evidence and expert opinion.

Methods: A multidisciplinary, international group of EoE experts identified the following important 3 questions during several consensus meetings: why, by what means, and when to monitor patients with EoE.

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Since the first description of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) less than three decades ago, we have observed a striking increase in the number of patients diagnosed with EoE and the understanding of its clinical and immunopathogenic background. Nonetheless, a plethora of open questions await elucidation. In this Review, we discuss the current state of knowledge regarding the underlying mechanisms, particularly environmental factors and their interaction with genetic susceptibility.

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Introduction: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic progressive disease. Diagnostic delay (DD) is associated with increased risk of esophageal strictures and food impactions. We aimed to assess the evolution of DD since the first description of EoE in 1993 until 2021.

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Endoscopy plays a critical role in caring for and evaluating the patient with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Endoscopy is essential for diagnosis, assessment of response to therapy, treatment of esophageal strictures, and ongoing monitoring of patients in histologic remission. To date, less-invasive testing for identifying or grading EoE severity has not been established, whereas diagnostic endoscopy as integral to both remains the criterion standard.

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Article Synopsis
  • Researchers formed an international consensus to create a severity scoring index for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) to standardize treatment and management.
  • The team analyzed existing literature on symptoms, histology, and endoscopy to develop a scoring system called the Index of Severity for Eosinophilic Esophagitis (I-SEE), allowing clinicians to assess disease severity at clinic visits.
  • The I-SEE scoring system ranges from 0-6 for mild, 7-14 for moderate, and 15 or higher for severe EoE, and it aims to help in clinical practice beyond just eosinophil counts.
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Background & Aims: Disease activity and severity of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) dictate therapeutic options and management, but the decision-making process for determining severity varies among practitioners. To reduce variability in practice patterns and help clinicians monitor the clinical course of the disease in an office setting, we aimed to create an international consensus severity scoring index for EoE.

Methods: A multidisciplinary international group of adult and pediatric EoE researchers and clinicians, as well as non-EoE allergy immunology and gastroenterology experts, formed 3 teams to review the existing literature on histology, endoscopy, and symptoms of EoE in the context of progression and severity.

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Background: A novel budesonide orodispersible tablet (BOT) has been proven effective in adult patients with active eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) in a 6-week placebo-controlled trial (EOS-1).

Aims: To report the efficacy of an open-label induction treatment with BOT in a large prospective cohort of EoE patients within the EOS-2 study.

Methods: Patients with clinico-histological active EoE were treated with BOT 1 mg BID for 6 weeks.

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Background And Aims: No recommendations exist regarding optimal follow-up schedule in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) under maintenance treatment.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated a long-term surveillance concept at the Swiss EoE clinic, where clinical, endoscopic and histological disease activity is assessed annually regardless of EoE symptoms. Data on 159 adult patients under maintenance steroid treatment with available follow-up were analyzed.

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