Increase Incidence and Prevalence of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders in Israel During the Last Decade.

BACKGROUND

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) are primary immune-mediated disorders, with significant morbidity and long-term sequelae. Temporal trends in incidence and prevalence are on the rise, but studies outside Europe and North America are sparse.

METHODS

Based on retrospective Electronic Medical Records (EMR) data, we studied a large population cohort during the years 2014-2021 of all patients diagnosed with EGIDs. Incidence rate and prevalence were calculated for each year during the study cohort stratified by disease location, age, and sex.

RESULTS

Between 2014 and 2021, among a population of 2.4 million persons, the incidence rate of EGIDs tripled from 2.51 (95% CI: 1.78-3.23) to 7.88 (95% CI: 6.75-9.01) per 100 000 person-years. Most (85.1%) were patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). The increased temporal trend was almost identical among all subgroups, including patients with EoE, patients with non-EoE EGIDs, and patients with EGIDs with esophageal involvement. The prevalence of EGIDs increased from 14.53 (95% CI: 12.80-16.26) to 51.43 (95% CI: 48.60-54.26) per 100 000 persons. In 2021, at the end of the study, the prevalence of EoE was 39.54 (95% CI: 37.05-42.02) per 100 000 persons, and the prevalence of non-EoE EGID was 11.89 (95% CI: 10.53-13.26) per 100 000 persons.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence and prevalence of EGIDs in Israel have risen steeply during the last decade. The main contribution came from the increased incidence rate of patients with EoE. By the end of the surveillance period, the increased temporal trends did not reach a plateau.