The role of upper endoscopy in identifying oesophageal involvement in patients with oral pemphigus vulgaris.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The involvement of oesophagus in pemphigus vulgaris is still debated. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of oesophageal involvement and the gastro-duodenal mucosa appearance before and after high-dose corticosteroid therapy in a group of patients with oral pemphigus vulgaris. METHODS: We prospectively studied 28 consecutive patients with oral pemphigus by oesophageal symptom standardised questionnaire, upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy, exfoliative cytology and histological biopsy. After clinical remission, all patients underwent new endoscopy. RESULTS: The prevalence of oesophageal symptoms was 57.1%. Endoscopic examination revealed oesophageal involvement with different degrees of severity in 67.8% of patients. After corticosteroid therapy, endoscopy showed normal oesophageal-gastro-duodenal mucosa. No examination-related exacerbations of the oesophageal lesions were seen. CONCLUSIONS: The upper gastro-intestinal endoscopic examination, in oral pemphigus vulgaris patients with oesophageal symptoms, is safe in skilled hands technique and a useful diagnostic tool prior to starting therapy.