Open AccessThe effectiveness of esomeprazole 40 mg in patients with persistent symptoms of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease following treatment with a full dose proton pump inhibitor
Author(s) -
Jones R.,
Patrikios T.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal of clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1742-1241
pISSN - 1368-5031
DOI - 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2008.01923.x
Subject(s) - esomeprazole , medicine , proton pump inhibitor , reflux , gastro , esophageal disease , gastroenterology , rabeprazole , disease , esophagus
Summary Background: Some patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) remain symptomatic despite proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment. There is a need to determine the most appropriate management of these patients. Aims: To assess the effectiveness of esomeprazole 40 mg in GORD symptoms persisting in patients receiving a full daily dose PPI. Methods: In this multi‐centre open label study patients who had received full daily dose PPI for 8 weeks, but were still experiencing persistent GORD symptoms, were treated with esomeprazole 40 mg for 8 weeks ( n = 99). The primary outcome variable was the change in the frequency of heartburn. Patient‐reported outcomes were also assessed using the Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) and the GORD Impact Scale (GIS). Results: The mean frequency of heartburn was reduced by 78% from 4.4 days a week to 1 day a week at the end of the 8‐week treatment period (p < 0.0001). Other GORD symptoms were also significantly reduced following of treatment with esomeprazole (all p < 0.0001). All RDQ dimensions and the level of symptom control as measured by the GIS also showed significant improvement at 8 weeks. Conclusions: In patients with persistent GORD symptoms despite full dose daily PPI therapy, esomeprazole 40 mg significantly improved the frequency and severity of all GORD symptoms.