Mental Health in Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Work Group Report of the AAAAI Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders Committee.

Psychiatric comorbidities, including anxiety and depression, are increased in individuals with eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder (EGID) compared with the general population. However, there are no established guidelines for screening and evaluating mental health disorders, and screening practices are unclear. We e-mailed an anonymous Web-based survey to members of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the Consortium of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease Researchers to examine mental health screening practices among clinicians caring for patients with EGIDs in the United States. Literature examining the association between mental health disorders and EGID was reviewed, best practices for anxiety and depression screening were discussed, and recommendations for implementing successful screening programs were formulated. Most survey respondents (62%; n = 31 of 50) indicated screening for anxiety and depression was important; however, only 18.6% (n = 11 of 59) conducted screening as part of standard clinical care for these patients. The most cited barriers to screening included a lack of time, limited expertise, and inadequate screening resources. This report provides recommendations and resources to facilitate the implementation of anxiety and depression screening in patients with EGIDs.