title: Reflux symptom relief with omeprazole in patients without unequivocal oesophagitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As many as 50% of patients with reflux symptoms have no endoscopic evidence of oesophagitis. This multicentre study was designed to assess symptom relief after omeprazole 20 mg once daily in patients with symptoms typical of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease but without endoscopic evidence of oesophagitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (n = 209) were randomized in a double-blind study to receive either omeprazole 20 mg once daily (n = 98) or placebo (n = 111) for 4 weeks. Symptoms were assessed at clinic visits and using daily diary cards, with patient-completed questionnaires providing additional data on symptoms and on psychological disturbance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On completion, symptom relief favoured omeprazole: 57% of patients on omeprazole were free of heartburn (vs. 19% on placebo), 75% were free of regurgitation (47%) and 43% were completely asymptomatic (14%), each with P < 0.0001. Fewer patients in the omeprazole group required alginate/antacid relief medication (P < 0.05). Symptom relief (time to first heartburn-free day) was more rapid with omeprazole (2 vs. 5 days on placebo; P < 0.01). A greater reduction in anxiety occurred in the omeprazole group (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Omeprazole 20 mg once daily is effective in providing relief of the symptoms typical of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in patients with essentially normal oesophageal mucosa.
authors.affiliation: Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan, UK.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bate
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Keeling
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Axon
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Dronfield
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Donoghue
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Calam
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crowe
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mountfords
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Watts
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D009853:Omeprazole