VIDEO: Physician assistants conference addresses eosinophilic esophagitis, chronic cough

Key takeaways:

• Doctors can prevent eosinophilic esophagitis progression from inflammation to stricture development.
• Chronic cough has different causes in adults and children.

PARK CITY, Utah — The state of care in eosinophilic esophagitis and chronic cough were among the topics at the Association of PAs in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Conference.

“My first talk this conference was on eosinophilic esophagitis and the importance of early recognition and being aware of the different ways that that condition can present,” Amanda Michaud, DMSc, PA-C, AE-C, the organization’s secretary and physician assistant at Family Allergy and Asthma Consultants in Jacksonville, Florida, told Healio.

By diagnosing eosinophilic esophagitis early, Michaud said, physicians can prevent its changes from inflammation to fibrous stenosis and stricture development. Michaud also addressed therapies as well as their safety and efficacy, in addition to shared decision-making.

“My second talk during this conference this weekend is focusing on chronic cough and using the guidelines to follow an established algorithm that can work through these patients,” Michaud said.

Michaud also covered diagnostics including red flag symptoms, what clinicians should be concerned about, available medication options and how chronic cough differs between children and adults.