The effectiveness of esomeprazole 40 mg in patients with persistent symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease following treatment with a full dose proton pump inhibitor.
BACKGROUND
Some patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) remain symptomatic despite proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment. There is a need to determine the most appropriate management of these patients.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of esomeprazole 40 mg in GORD symptoms persisting in patients receiving a full daily dose PPI.


METHODS
In this multi-centre open label study patients who had received full daily dose PPI for 8 weeks, but were still experiencing persistent GORD symptoms, were treated with esomeprazole 40 mg for 8 weeks (n = 99). The primary outcome variable was the change in the frequency of heartburn. Patient-reported outcomes were also assessed using the Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) and the GORD Impact Scale (GIS).


RESULTS
The mean frequency of heartburn was reduced by 78% from 4.4 days a week to 1 day a week at the end of the 8-week treatment period (p < 0.0001). Other GORD symptoms were also significantly reduced following of treatment with esomeprazole (all p < 0.0001). All RDQ dimensions and the level of symptom control as measured by the GIS also showed significant improvement at 8 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with persistent GORD symptoms despite full dose daily PPI therapy, esomeprazole 40 mg significantly improved the frequency and severity of all GORD symptoms.
Jones
R
R
Department of General Practice & Primary Care, King's College London, London, UK. roger.jones@kcl.ac.uk
Patrikios
T
T
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D064098:Esomeprazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006356:Heartburn / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D064098:Esomeprazole