Posted 1/26/2012 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
HPF = High Power Field, which is just a standard for measuring the concentration of eosinophils. Eosinophils are special leukocytes, or white blood cells, which are "sent" through the blood stream in response, usually, to signals that an allergen is present. Not an awful lot is known about EoE right now, and it is a relatively newly described condition. It most frequently occurs because of food allergies, but also is commonly noted in connection with reflux.
Moderate eosinophil counts, as a response to reflux, usually are less than 20 per HPF. These are checked via biopsies taken during an EGD, and there should be an upper, mid, and lower sample. Also, EoE from reflux will usually show higher concentrations from the mid and lower biopsies. Higher than 20 is usually an indication of food allergy, and one poster here a few weeks ago had a count somewhere around 100.
EoE can give similar symptoms to reflux. I'm actually not too surprised that your GI wasn't too helpful. Many of us here have gone through several doctors until we find one that is well-versed on reflux and related conditions. It's unlikely that prednisone will do much for EoE. The recommended treatment for it is a swallowed corticosteroid.
It's possible that you're trying to treat reflux with PPIs, when treating the EoE would eliminate/control some symptoms. I really can't make a good recommendation for you...but if you're suffering, April seems an awful long time to wait.
-Bruce