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Stephen Attwood

Bio: Stephen Attwood is an academic researcher from Durham University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Eosinophilic esophagitis & Barrett's esophagus. The author has an hindex of 45, co-authored 132 publications receiving 10022 citations. Previous affiliations of Stephen Attwood include Newcastle University & Creighton University.


Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A new conceptual definition is proposed highlighting that EoE represents a chronic, immune/antigen-mediated disease characterized clinically by symptoms related to esophageal dysfunction and histologically by eosinophil-predominant inflammation.
Abstract: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a clinicopathologic condition of increasing recognition and prevalence. In 2007, a consensus recommendation provided clinical and histopathologic guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of EoE; however, only a minority of physicians use the 2007 guidelines, which require fulfillment of both histologic and clinical features. Since 2007, the number of EoE publications has doubled, providing new disease insight. Accordingly, a panel of 33 physicians with expertise in pediatric and adult allergy/immunology, gastroenterology, and pathology conducted a systematic review of the EoE literature (since September 2006) using electronic databases. Based on the literature review and expertise of the panel, information and recommendations were provided in each of the following areas of EoE: diagnostics, genetics, allergy testing, therapeutics, and disease complications. Because accumulating animal and human data have provided evidence that EoE appears to be an antigen-driven immunologic process that involves multiple pathogenic pathways, a new conceptual definition is proposed highlighting that EoE represents a chronic, immune/antigen-mediated disease characterized clinically by symptoms related to esophageal dysfunction and histologically by eosinophil-predominant inflammation. The diagnostic guidelines continue to define EoE as an isolated chronic disorder of the esophagus diagnosed by the need of both clinical and pathologic features. Patients commonly have high rates of concurrent allergic diatheses, especially food sensitization, compared with the general population. Proved therapeutic options include chronic dietary elimination, topical corticosteroids, and esophageal dilation. Important additions since 2007 include genetic underpinnings that implicate EoE susceptibility caused by polymorphisms in the thymic stromal lymphopoietin protein gene and the description of a new potential disease phenotype, proton pump inhibitor-responsive esophageal eosinophila. Further advances and controversies regarding diagnostic methods, surrogate disease markers, allergy testing, and treatment approaches are discussed.

1,675 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 2014-Gut
TL;DR: These guidelines provide a practical and evidence-based resource for the management of patients with Barrett's oesophagus and related early neoplasia and suggested stratification of patients according to their estimated cancer risk based on clinical and histopathological criteria for the first time.
Abstract: These guidelines provide a practical and evidence-based resource for the management of patients with Barrett's oesophagus and related early neoplasia. The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument was followed to provide a methodological strategy for the guideline development. A systematic review of the literature was performed for English language articles published up until December 2012 in order to address controversial issues in Barrett's oesophagus including definition, screening and diagnosis, surveillance, pathological grading for dysplasia, management of dysplasia, and early cancer including training requirements. The rigour and quality of the studies was evaluated using the SIGN checklist system. Recommendations on each topic were scored by each author using a five-tier system (A+, strong agreement, to D+, strongly disagree). Statements that failed to reach substantial agreement among authors, defined as >80% agreement (A or A+), were revisited and modified until substantial agreement (>80%) was reached. In formulating these guidelines, we took into consideration benefits and risks for the population and national health system, as well as patient perspectives. For the first time, we have suggested stratification of patients according to their estimated cancer risk based on clinical and histopathological criteria. In order to improve communication between clinicians, we recommend the use of minimum datasets for reporting endoscopic and pathological findings. We advocate endoscopic therapy for high-grade dysplasia and early cancer, which should be performed in high-volume centres. We hope that these guidelines will standardise and improve management for patients with Barrett's oesophagus and related neoplasia.

1,083 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The presence of high concentrations of IEE in esophageal biopsies from patients with dysphagia, normal endoscopy, and normal 24-hr esophagal pH monitoring represents a distinctive clinicopathologic syndrome not previously described.
Abstract: Small numbers of intraepithelial esophageal eosinophils (IEE) may be seen in 50% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and occasionally in normal volunteers. High concentrations of IEE are rarely seen in either setting. During a two-year period we idetified 12 adult patients with very dense eosinophil infiltrates in esophageal biopsies (defined as >20 IEE/high-power field). Dysphagia was the presenting complaint in each, but no evidence of anatomical obstruction could be found. Endoscopic esophagitis was absent, but biopsy showed marked squamous hyperplasia and many IEE. Eleven patients had normal esophageal acid exposure on 24-hr pH monitoring. Esophageal manometry showed a nonspecific motility disturbance in 10 patients. For comparison, 90 patients with excess esophageal acid exposure on 24-hr pH monitoring were studied. Thirteen (14%) had motility disturbance, and 21 (23%) had dysphagia. Esophageal biopsies were devoid of IEE in 47 patients; none of the 43 with IEE had infiltrates as dense as those seen in the 12 study patients. The presence of high concentrations of IEE in esophageal biopsies from patients with dysphagia, normal endoscopy, and normal 24-hr esophageal pH monitoring represents a distinctive clinicopathologic syndrome not previously described.

721 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence-based recommendations for EoE diagnosis, treatment modalities, and patients’ follow up are proposed in the guidelines, and expert opinion and best clinical practice are provided.
Abstract: IntroductionEosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is one of the most prevalent esophageal diseases and the leading cause of dysphagia and food impaction in children and young adults. This underlines the importance of optimizing diagnosys and treatment of the condition, especially after the increasing amount of knowledge on EoE recently published. Therefore, the UEG, EAACI ESPGHAN, and EUREOS deemed it necessary to update the current guidelines regarding conceptual and epidemiological aspects, diagnosis, and treatment of EoE.MethodsGeneral methodology according to the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used in order to comply with current standards of evidence assessment in formulation of recommendations. An extensive literature search was conducted up to August 2015 and periodically updated. The working group consisted of gastroenterologists, allergists, pediatricians, otolaryngologists, path...

665 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An updated diagnostic algorithm for EoE was developed, with removal of the PPI trial requirement, and the evidence suggests that PPIs are better classified as a treatment for esophageal eosinophilia that may be due to EOE than as a diagnostic criterion.

621 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The guidelines for the diagnosis, surveillance and therapy of Barrett’s esophagus were originally published by the American College of Gastroenterology in 1998 and updated in 2002 and once again reviewed using the National Library of Medicine database.

2,044 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The field is now in an exciting transitional period in which ctDNA analysis is beginning to be applied clinically, although there is still much to learn about the biology of cell-free DNA.
Abstract: Improvements in genomic and molecular methods are expanding the range of potential applications for circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), both in a research setting and as a 'liquid biopsy' for cancer management. Proof-of-principle studies have demonstrated the translational potential of ctDNA for prognostication, molecular profiling and monitoring. The field is now in an exciting transitional period in which ctDNA analysis is beginning to be applied clinically, although there is still much to learn about the biology of cell-free DNA. This is an opportune time to appraise potential approaches to ctDNA analysis, and to consider their applications in personalized oncology and in cancer research.

1,630 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A multidisciplinary task force of 31 physicians assembled with the goal of determining diagnostic criteria and making recommendations for evaluation and treatment of children and adults with suspected eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) provided current recommendations for care of affected patients.

1,513 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The recent successful clinical trial of anti-IgE therapy in patients with peanut allergy and the number of immunomodulatory therapies in the pipeline provide real hope that the authors will soon be able to treat patients with food allergy.
Abstract: Tremendous progress has been made in our understanding of food-based allergic disorders over the past 5 years. Recent epidemiologic studies suggest that nearly 4% of Americans are afflicted with food allergies, a prevalence much higher than appreciated in the past. In addition, the prevalence of peanut allergy was found to have doubled in American children less than 5 years of age in the past 5 years. Many food allergens have been characterized at the molecular level, which has contributed to our increased understanding of the immunopathogenesis of many allergic disorders and might soon lead to novel diagnostic and immunotherapeutic approaches. The management of food allergies continues to consist of educating patients on how to avoid relevant allergens, to recognize early symptoms of an allergic reaction in case of an accidental ingestion, and to initiate the appropriate emergency therapy. However, the recent successful clinical trial of anti-IgE therapy in patients with peanut allergy and the number of immunomodulatory therapies in the pipeline provide real hope that we will soon be able to treat patients with food allergy.

1,330 citations