title: Dysphagia and quality of life may improve with mometasone treatment in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The treatment of adult patients with eosinophilic esophagitis remains challenging. The aim was to assess dysphagia and health-related quality of life (HRQL) using validated scales and questionnaires before and after treatment with mometasone furoate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series with planned data collection.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital and secondary referral hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Newly diagnosed patients with eosinophilic esophagitis were included and given 200 µg of orally administered topical mometasone furoate 4 times daily. Questionnaires incorporating the Watson Dysphagia Scale (WDS), the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life-Oesophageal Module 18 (EORTC QLQ-OES18), and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) were completed before the initiation of treatment and after 2 months of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-one consecutive patients (23 men; mean age, 45 years; range, 18-89 years) completed the trial. At inclusion, the mean scores of the WDS, the EORTC QLQ-OES18 dysphagia scale, the eating scale and choking item, and the global health and social functioning dimensions of the SF-36 were 21.3, 20.4, 35.0, 38.6, 71.1, and 82.3, respectively. Posttreatment, these scores improved to 8.9 (P < .0001), 4.6 (P < .00001), 17.8 (P < .001), 16.0 (P < .01), 76.1 (P < .05), and 91.9 (P = .0001), respectively. Except for 1 case of oral candidiasis, no significant side effects were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The dysphagia and impaired HRQL found in untreated patients with eosinophilic esophagitis improved significantly after 2 months of mometasone furoate treatment. A randomized placebo-controlled trial is warranted to assess causality. The scales and questionnaires used are sensitive instruments appropriate for symptom surveillance in individuals with eosinophilic esophagitis.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. henrik.bergquist@vgregion.se
authors: Henrik
authors: H
authors: Bergquist
authors: Helén
authors: H
authors: Larsson
authors: Leif
authors: L
authors: Johansson
authors: Mogens
authors: M
authors: Bove