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Psychological Perspectives on Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis

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Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Part of the book series: Clinical Gastroenterology ((CG))

Abstract

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a recently described disorder marked clinically by symptoms of upper gastrointestinal distress and by histological evidence of increased eosinophils in the esophagus. Although EoE has been reported in individuals across the lifespan, the disease has been most comprehensively described in children and adolescents. In addition to further clarifications of EoE symptom presentation, current studies are investigating the pathophysiology of the disease as well as the effectiveness and outcome of treatments. Attention has now turned to the impact of the disease on the quality of life and psychosocial functioning of children and their families. Since investigation of psychological aspects of EoE is in its infancy, little systematic information is available at this time. Nevertheless, with some information from recent and current studies as well as from clinical experience, it is possible to pose key questions about the impact of the symptoms and the treatments specific to EoE on quality of life for children and adolescents. Further, a great deal of information is available regarding psychosocial effects of various chronic illnesses on children, and extrapolations from previous studies are informative regarding likely effects on youth of all ages with EoE. This chapter will review what is known about the impact of EoE on quality of life and psychosocial adjustment, discuss the bidirectional effects of pediatric chronic illness characteristics, psychosocial functioning, and quality of life, and examine the role of coping and adaptation in relation to psychosocial functioning and quality of life.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson Street, Denver, CO, USA

    Mary Klinnert PhD

  2. Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA

    Mary Klinnert PhD

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  1. Mary Klinnert PhD
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Correspondence to Mary Klinnert PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Center for Pediatric Eosinophilic Disord, The Univeristy of Pennsylvania School of, 34th Street & Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, 19104, Pennsylvania, USA

    Chris A. Liacouras

  2. University Medical Center, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Greenville Hospital System, Patewood Drive 200, Greenville, 29615, South Carolina, USA

    Jonathan E. Markowitz

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Klinnert, M. (2012). Psychological Perspectives on Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis. In: Liacouras, C., Markowitz, J. (eds) Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Clinical Gastroenterology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-515-6_29

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-515-6_29

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