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Randomised controlled trial of pantoprazole versus ranitidine for the treatment of uninvestigated heartburn in primary care
Author(s) -
Talley Nicholas J,
Moore Michael G,
Sprogis Arn,
Katelaris Peter
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb04882.x
Subject(s) - heartburn , pantoprazole , ranitidine , medicine , gastroenterology , randomized controlled trial , reflux , gerd , disease , omeprazole
Objectives: To investigate whether pantoprazole (20 mg/d) produces significantly greater symptom control than ranitidine (300 mg/d) in patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Design: Multicentre, randomised, double‐blind, parallel‐group comparison. Setting: 76 general practices in north‐west Sydney and Newcastle, New South Wales (Australia), from 19 January 1999 to 22 September 2000. Patients: 307 patients aged 18 years or over presenting with symptomatic GORD. Interventions: Pantoprazole (20 mg once daily) or ranitidine (150 mg twice daily). Main outcome measures: Patient‐assessed frequency and severity of heartburn using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and a patient heartburn diary. Results: Pantoprazole was associated with significantly higher rates of complete control of GORD symptoms than ranitidine at four weeks (40% v 19%; P < 0.001), eight weeks (55% v 33%; P < 0.001), six months (71% v 56%; P = 0.007) and 12 months (77% v 59%; P = 0.001). Conclusions: Low‐dose pantoprazole is an effective alternative to standard‐dose ranitidine for initial and maintenance treatment of patients with symptomatic GORD.