TP6.2.17 How good is Edinburgh Dysphagia Score in identifying patients with oesophageal cancer?

Abstract

Abstract Aims Due to limited resources and increase in the referral for endoscopy, various scoring systems have been developed in an attempt to identify high risk patients of having oesophageal cancer. The aim of this study was to analyze the utility of Edinburgh Dysphagia Score (EDS) in patients who have presented with oesophageal cancer. Methods A retrospective cohort study of all newly diagnosed oesophageal cancers with dysphagia in a single regional MDT was performed between October 2019 and September 2020. Electronic records were interrogated and EDS calculated. EDS contained six parameters: age, sex, weight loss, duration of symptoms, localization of dysphagia and acid reflux. Patients divided into lower-risk group (EDS <3.5) and higher-risk group (EDS ≥ 3.5). Results Of the 349 patients, 182 (52.1%) had dysphagia at presentation. 149 (81.9%) were referred from the primary care. There were 127 (69.8%) male and the mean age was 69.1 ± 11.0 years. 135 (74.2%) patients had adenocarcinoma, 51 (28.0%) were T4 disease and 58 (31.9%) were metastatic. The median EDS was 7 (IQR 6-8). 178 (97.8%) patients had higher-risk EDS and 4 (2.2%) patients lower-risk EDS. Conclusions This study suggests that EDS can positively identify patients who are high risk of having oesophageal cancer in majority of patients. This simple scoring system can be used to vet the referrals in order to reduce the pressure in the secondary care setting to effectively use the available resources.