An individualized treatment plan....

Earlier this week, I read an article released on Medscape as part of a report on Challenging Diagnosis in Allergy and GI.  It features this article: “Recent Advances in the Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis” by Shauna Schroeder, Dan Atkins, and Glenn T. Furuta. ( http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/731955?src=ptalk ).   The Abstract reads: “First described nearly 20 years ago, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an inflammatory disease of the esophagus characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the esophageal epithelium. Over 50% of the current literature on EoE has been published in the last 3 years, signaling both a rising incidence and increased recognition of this disorder. Treatment options available for patients with EoE include dietary management and/or pharmacologic therapy. An individualized approach to treatment is preferred, with an emphasis on patient–parental preference. The objective of this article is to discuss the current and future treatment options for EoE.”

I read this article, and am encouraged by such advances in the understandings of EoE treatments.  My hope is to someday (soon) be reading an article such as this about FPIES.  There has also been increased literature publication on FPIES in the past 3 years.  As advances in EGID’s (Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders) emerge, it is promising for FPIES research; the more definition behind this gastrointestinal illness brings further delineations in what needs to be researched for definitions to other gastrointestinal disorders, such as FPIES, protein-induced enertopathy, protein-induced colitis and proctocolitis.  The spectrum of these protein induced gastrointestinal disorders will all benefit from these advances.   FPIES reactions themselves can be classic or chronic, there seems to be a spectrum within these for those affected by FPIES and it varies in each child.   FPIES mechanisms are still not fully understood. Fortunately, there is some understandings of the potential mechanisms with advances in cellular research; but one thing that remains a standard in FPIES treatment as it does in EGID’s treatments is “An individualized approach to treatment is preferred, with an emphasis on patient–parental preference.”