The effect of oral budesonide liquid therapy to alleviate clinical symptoms in patients with epidermolysis bullosa

Epidermolysis bullosa is a genetic condition with skin fragility that leads to blister formation and erosion following minor trauma. This disease also involves the gastrointestinal tract by way of esophageal stricture and dysphasia. Some studies have recommended oral budesonide liquid therapy to decrease the need for balloon endoscopy and other aggressive treatments. The aim of the study was to evaluated clinical symptoms of patients who consumed oral budesonide in their daily routine therapies. 
This cross-sectional study was conducted in Akbar Hospital of the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All enrolled patients were followed between July and October 2021. Ten milliliter oral budesonide (0.5 milligram) liquid was administrated one hour before eating. They were followed up to determine and document any side effects after treatment, and any improvement of clinical symptoms such as amelioration of dysphasia, volume of food intake, duration of food consumption, and kind of food consumed (solid versus liquid). About fifteen patients were studied. The mean duration + SD of using budesonide was 9.66±15.76 weeks. The mean percentage + SD was 41.33±34.61 for improvement in the volume of food intake, and the mean for improving dysphasia + SD was 42±33.63%. Three patients suffered from complications (i.e., mucositis and gastric fullness). Also, two patients did not want to continue treatment because they did not like the drug taste. Oral budesonide liquid could be recommended for epidermolysis bollusa patients to improve clinical symptoms.