A meta-analysis of efficacy of topical steroids in eosinophilic esophagitis: From the perspective of histologic, clinical, and endoscopic outcome

Background: Swallowed topical steroids are a mainstay drug therapy for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), studies have demonstrated good histologic response, but with enormous discrepancy in clinical and endoscopic improvement. We conducted this meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy of topical steroids in EoE in histological, clinical and endoscopic improvement. Methods: Several databases were searched from inception to August 1, 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing topical steroids with placebo for EoE in the short-term. The outcomes of interest mainly included basic characteristics of the studies, histologic, clinical, endoscopic response rate and adverse events. The results were pooled together using Reviewer Manager 5.3.5 software, and inconsistency was quantified using I-2 statistics. Results: Nine studies were eventually selected. The results showed that topical steroids were effective in inducing histologic response compared with placebo for both complete (OR 35.82, 95% CI 14.98-85.64, P < 0.0001; I-2 = 0, P = 0.72) and partial response (OR 28.44, 95% CI 8.56-94.47, P < 0.0001; I-2 = 70%, P = 0.0009). Moreover, topical steroids were useful in gaining clinical response (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.14-5.60, P = 0.02; I-2 = 60%, P = 0.02) and endoscopic response (OR 3.51, 95% CI 1.47-8.36, P = 0.005; I-2 = 0, P = 0.57). Generally, topical steroids are well tolerated. The most common adverse events are infections and infestations (59 cases). Conclusion: Topical steroids were effective in inducing histological, clinical and endoscopic response in the short-term, and the adverse events were almost tolerable; however, we should interpret the result of clinical and endoscopic response with caution. (C) 2020 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.