title: Randomised controlled trial of pantoprazole versus ranitidine for the treatment of uninvestigated heartburn in primary care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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).
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicentre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group comparison.
  
  
  METHODS
  76 general practices in north-west Sydney and Newcastle, New South Wales (Australia), from 19 January 1999 to 22 September 2000.
  
  
  METHODS
  307 patients aged 18 years or over presenting with symptomatic GORD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pantoprazole (20 mg once daily) or ranitidine (150 mg twice daily).
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: University of Sydney, Nepean Hospital, PO Box 63, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia. ntalley@med.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Talley
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Arn
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sprogis
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Katelaris
mesh_terms: D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006356:Heartburn / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000077402:Pantoprazole; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013454:Sulfoxides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D013454:Sulfoxides; D011899:Ranitidine; D000077402:Pantoprazole; D009853:Omeprazole