Eosinophilic esophagitis and somatic symptom disorder: A case report

Authors

  • Márcia Rodrigues Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Unidade Local de Saúde de Santo António https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4905-6307
  • Inês Guerra Aguiar Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Unidade Local de Saúde de Santo António https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7526-0646

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25753/BirthGrowthMJ.v33.i4.30128

Keywords:

anxiety, Eosinophilic Esophagitis, globus pharyngeus, liaison child and adolescent psychiatry

Abstract

This report describes the case of a 12-year-old male adolescent who presented with anxiety and somatic symptoms manifested as globus pharyngeus sensation and dysphagia following the diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Despite histologic and clinical improvement of EoE after treatment, the patient developed a persistent fear of swallowing solid food, accompanied by a sensation of a lump in the throat during meals. His psycho-affective immaturity was also noted. Due to the pervasiveness and functional impairment caused by anxiety and somatic symptoms, pharmacological treatment with oral sertraline solution was initiated. After four weeks of treatment, the patient showed significant improvement, regaining the ability to swallow solid food without the sensation of globus pharyngeus. In addition to pharmacologic therapy, cognitive-behavioral strategies were used to manage his symptoms. This case highlights the importance of considering the interplay between organic etiologies and psychological factors in the multidimensional management of anxiety and somatic symptom disorders.

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Published

2025-01-15

How to Cite

1.
Rodrigues M, Guerra Aguiar I. Eosinophilic esophagitis and somatic symptom disorder: A case report. BGMJ [Internet]. 2025 Jan. 15 [cited 2025 Dec. 9];33(4):267-71. Available from: https://revistas.rcaap.pt/bgmj/article/view/30128

Issue

Vol. 33 No. 4 (2024)

Section

Clinical Case Reports

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Márcia Rodrigues, Inês Guerra Aguiar

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