RECRUITING

The Esophageal String Test as a Diagnostic Screening Tool for Eosinophilic Esophagitis Among Africans With Dysphagia in Mali and the United States

Study Overview

This clinical trial focuses on testing the efficacy of different digital interventions to promote re-engagement in cancer-related long-term follow-up care for adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer.

Description

Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a disease that causes inflammation in the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that moves food from the mouth to the stomach. Diagnosing EoE currently requires a specialized tool called an endoscope. The esophageal string test (EST) is another test; the EST collects fluid from the upper digestive tract. An EST is simpler and cheaper than an endoscopy. Researchers want to know if an EST can diagnose EoE. Objective: To test if the EST can diagnose EoE in people who have trouble swallowing. Eligibility: Adults aged 18 to 65 years with trouble swallowing. They must have been born in Africa and be of African descent. Design: Participants will be screened. They will give blood, stool, urine, and skin swab samples. They will complete surveys about their medical history, diet, symptoms, and home environment. They will bring a sample of their drinking water for testing. Participants will have an EST. They will swallow a pill capsule that contains a nylon string. One end of the string will be taped to their cheek. The string will unravel down the esophagus and into the stomach. It will be pulled out after 1 hour. Fluids that soaked into the string will be tested. At a different visit, participants will have an endoscopic exam. An endoscope is a flexible tube that is inserted down the mouth; it can be used to take tissue samples from the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Participants will have a final visit in person, online, or by phone. They will take a survey and talk about their test results.

Official Title

Use of the Esophageal String Test as a Diagnostic Screening Tool for Eosinophilic Esophagitis Among Africans With Dysphagia in Mali and the United States

Quick Facts

Study Start:2025-09-01
Study Completion:2027-08-31
Study Type:Not specified
Phase:Not Applicable
Enrollment:Not specified
Status:RECRUITING

Study ID

NCT07027826

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Ages Eligible for Study:18 Years to 65 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:ALL
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:No
Standard Ages:ADULT, OLDER_ADULT
Inclusion CriteriaExclusion Criteria
  1. 1. Able to provide informed consent.
  2. 2. Aged 18 to 65 years.
  3. 3. Born in the African continent and of African ancestry.
  4. 4. Exhibiting symptoms of dysphagia and/or prior history of food impaction.
  5. 5. Undergoing clinically indicated endoscopy at the NIH Clinical Center or Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Gabriel Toure and willing to provide research samples and data.
  1. 1. Recent steroid use (systemic or swallowed/topical corticosteroid) within 4 weeks prior to endoscopy.
  2. 2. Recent use of dupilumab (Dupixent) within the last 6 months.
  3. 3. Recent use of other biologic medications (within either 6 months or 5 half-lives, whichever is longer). Examples of biologic medications include:

Contacts and Locations

Study Contact

Gregory M Constantine, M.D.
CONTACT
(301) 633-6453
constantinegm@nih.gov

Principal Investigator

Gregory M Constantine, M.D.
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Study Locations (Sites)

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
United States

Collaborators and Investigators

Sponsor: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

  • Gregory M Constantine, M.D., PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Study Record Dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

Study Start Date2025-09-01
Study Completion Date2027-08-31

Study Record Updates

Study Start Date2025-09-01
Study Completion Date2027-08-31

Terms related to this study

Keywords Provided by Researchers

  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis
  • Dysphagia
  • Esophageal string test

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

  • Dysphagia
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis