How can I educate patients about dietary modifications that may help manage eosinophilic oesophagitis?

To educate patients about dietary modifications for managing eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), it is essential to provide clear, evidence-based guidance tailored to their individual needs. Dietary management typically involves elimination diets that remove specific food triggers identified through clinical history and allergy testing, often under specialist supervision. Patients should be informed that common triggers include milk, wheat, eggs, soy, nuts, and seafood, but the exact allergens vary between individuals.

Explain that elimination diets may start with removing the most common allergens (a six-food elimination diet) or be guided by allergy testing results, followed by gradual reintroduction to identify specific triggers. Referral to a dietitian with expertise in allergy and EoE is recommended to ensure nutritional adequacy and monitor growth, especially in children. Patients should be advised on how to read food labels carefully to avoid hidden allergens and be aware of cross-contamination risks during food preparation and manufacturing.

It is important to emphasize that dietary changes should be implemented and monitored by healthcare professionals to avoid unnecessary nutritional deficiencies and to assess symptom improvement. Patients should also be educated about the potential need for follow-up endoscopy to evaluate the response to dietary therapy. While elimination diets can be effective, they require commitment and support, and patients should be encouraged to discuss any concerns or difficulties with their healthcare team.

Overall, patient education should focus on the rationale for dietary modification, practical advice on food avoidance, the importance of specialist dietetic input, and ongoing monitoring to optimize management of eosinophilic oesophagitis ¹ (Dellon, 2012).