title: It is possible to classify non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) patients into endoscopically normal groups and minimal change groups by subjective symptoms and responsiveness to rabeprazole -- a report from a study with Japanese patients.
abstract: The hypothesis that non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) patients comprise various subgroups is gaining popularity. This study was conducted to investigate the possibility of categorizing NERD patients according to symptom types and response to acid-suppressive drug rabeprazole (RPZ) 10 mg/day. NERD patients were classified as grade N (endoscopically normal), M (minimal change), or erosive GERD, and answered a 51-item, yes-or-no questionnaire pre and post-treatment. Compared to erosive GERD, clear differences existed in pretreatment prevalence of symptoms and responsiveness to RPZ in grades N and M; the results suggested stomachaches (especially at night) were significant symptoms in grade N and dysmotility-like symptoms like bloated stomach were significant in grade M while gastroesophageal reflux symptoms were significant in erosive GERD. Clinical significance of classifying NERD was indicated from different symptoms and responsiveness to PPI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endoscopy and Endoscopic Surgery, Gunma University Hospital, 3-39-15 Showamachi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan. mkusano@showa.gunma-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Motoyasu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kusano
authors.forename: Naohito
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shirai
authors.forename: Kanako
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Michio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hongo
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chiba
authors.forename: Yoshikazu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kinoshita
mesh_terms: D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D015154:Esophageal Motility Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000145:classification* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D064750:Rabeprazole; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D064750:Rabeprazole