Omeprazole versus high-dose ranitidine in mild gastroesophageal reflux disease: short- and long-term treatment. The Dutch Reflux Study Group.
OBJECTIVE
Patients with reflux esophagitis suffer from a chronic condition that may cause considerable discomfort because of recurrent symptoms and diminished quality of life. This study was designed to evaluate acute and long-term treatment comparing standard doses of omeprazole and high-dose ranitidine.


METHODS
Patients with endoscopically verified symptomatic esophagitis grade I or II were initially treated with omeprazole 20 mg daily or ranitidine 300 mg twice daily for 4-8 wk. Patients who were symptom free were randomized to maintenance treatment with omeprazole 10 mg daily or ranitidine 150 mg twice daily. Patients were seen every 3 months or at symptomatic relapse.


RESULTS
The percentage of asymptomatic patients after 4 and 8 wk treatment were 61% and 74%, respectively, for omeprazole and 31% and 50%, respectively, for ranitidine. Of 446 patients treated initially, 277 were asymptomatic, of whom 263 entered the maintenance study. The estimated proportion of patients in remission after 12 months of maintenance treatment with omeprazole 10 mg daily (n = 134) and ranitidine 150 mg twice daily (n = 129) were 68% and 39%, respectively (p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Omeprazole 20 mg daily is superior to high-dose ranitidine in the symptomatic treatment of reflux esophagitis grade I and II. Furthermore, omeprazole at half the standard dose is more effective than ranitidine in a standard dose in keeping patients in remission for a period of 12 months.
Festen
H P
HP
Department of Internal Medicine, Groot Ziekengasthuis, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
Schenk
E
E
Tan
G
G
Snel
P
P
Nelis
F
F
D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D011899:Ranitidine; D009853:Omeprazole