Heartburn without oesophagitis: efficacy of omeprazole therapy and features determining therapeutic response.
BACKGROUND
Data are limited on the value of effective antisecretory therapy in the relief of heartburn in patients without oesophagitis.


METHODS
Patients with heartburn, without endoscopic signs of oesophagitis, were randomized to double-blind treatment with omeprazole, 20 or 10 mg once daily, or placebo, for 4 weeks (n = 509). Pre-treatment oesophageal acid exposure was assessed using 24-h intra-oesophageal pH monitoring. Heartburn was assessed at 2 and 4 weeks.


RESULTS
At 4 weeks the proportion of patients with complete absence of heartburn was 46% (95% confidence interval, 39-53%) with 20 mg omeprazole, 31% (25-38%) with 10 mg omeprazole, and 13% (7-20%) with placebo. Satisfaction with therapy was reported by 66%, 57%, and 31% of the patients, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Omeprazole, 20 and 10 mg once daily, provides rapid relief of heartburn in patients without endoscopic oesophagitis.
Lind
T
T
Dept. of Surgery, Kärnsjukhuset, Skövde, Sweden.
Havelund
T
T
Carlsson
R
R
Anker-Hansen
O
O
Glise
H
H
Hernqvist
H
H
Junghard
O
O
Lauritsen
K
K
Lundell
L
L
Pedersen
S A
SA
Stubberöd
A
A
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic; D005260:Female; D005745:Gastric Acidity Determination; D006356:Heartburn / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D009853:Omeprazole