Who Should Be on Your Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) Treatment Team?

Looking for an eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) doctor? Whether you've just been diagnosed or you've been managing the condition for a while, it's likely you'll need more than one healthcare professional to tackle all the issues that might come up.

A treatment team is necessary to address your EoE symptoms and any potential complications that could arise, says Felice Schnoll-Sussman, MD, a gastroenterologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian in New York City.

"There are multiple, different care team members that will be pulled into the patient's treatment plan, based on response to therapy and the patient's individual needs," she says. "Working with a team of professionals that are adept at managing the complexity of these cases is essential." Here's a look at who you might need on your treatment team.

1. Primary Care Provider

If you have EoE, your primary care provider will play a very important role in your care. They're often the ones who give an initial exam that leads to an EoE diagnosis, says Subhankar Chakraborty, MD, a gastroenterologist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.

"They tend to be the ones who first recognize symptoms of EoE, such as trouble swallowing, then they make the referral for specialist care, usually to a gastroenterologist," he says. "From there, they'll be helpful for patient education and for addressing medical issues that may be happening along with EoE."

• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
• Asthma
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• Food allergies
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Depression
• Celiac disease

Other potential comorbidities that could happen alongside EoE include autoimmune disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders, but these are less common, says Dr. Chakraborty.

2. Gastroenterologist

A gastroenterologist is often at the center of the EoE care team, says Dr. Schnoll-Sussman. They will perform the initial endoscopy to make the diagnosis and ongoing endoscopies to see whether your treatment is working for you. (An endoscopy is a procedure used to look at organs and tissues inside the body using an endoscope, a thin, flexible tube with a light and sometimes a camera attached.)

In addition, if you have esophageal strictures — when the esophagus narrows, making it harder for food and liquid to get to the stomach — a gastroenterologist would help identify treatments that could relieve that constriction, she says.

3. Allergist or Immunologist

Tests for food or environmental allergens, performed by an allergist, may play a role in EoE management, especially if you’ve ever had any food intolerances or allergic reactions, says Schnoll-Sussman.

"If dietary elimination therapy is needed, an allergist may recommend which foods are going to be avoided," she says. "The allergist may manage other conditions, such as seasonal allergies, as well."

4. Registered Dietitian

5. Mental Health Professional

At times, a mental health professional such as a licensed therapist or social worker may be necessary to help manage anxiety, depression, or stress related to a chronic illness.

The Takeaway

• Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory condition involving the esophagus and often requires treatment from multiple medical specialists.
• In addition to a gastroenterologist, you may need a primary care doctor, allergist or immunologist, and registered dietitian nutritionist to address different aspects of your condition.
• A mental health professional can also be helpful for EoE, since the condition can cause anxiety, depression, and stress.