title: The effects of three alternative treatment strategies after 8 weeks of proton pump inhibitor therapy for GERD in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this 24-week treatment study was to evaluate the effects of three treatment strategies after 8 weeks of lansoprazole therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Open-labelled, uncontrolled, prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  37 erosive reflux disease (ERD) and 20 non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) patients were divided into three groups by symptom assessment at 8 weeks: (1) observation without treatment in the 'symptoms-resolved' group, (2) 'on-demand' treatment for an additional 16 weeks in the 'symptoms-attenuated' group and (3) continuous treatment in the 'symptoms-persistent' group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For ERD, six (100%) out of six patients in the 'symptoms-resolved' group remained improved at weeks 16 and 24. Sixteen (72.7%) out of 22 patients in the 'symptoms-attenuated' group had improvement of symptoms at 16 weeks, and 18 (81.8%) patients at 24 weeks. Six (66.7%) out of nine patients in the 'symptoms-persistent' group remained improved at weeks 16 and 24. For NERD, seven (100%) out of seven patients in the 'symptoms-resolved' group remained improved at weeks 16 and 24. Eight (80.0%) out of 10 patients in the 'symptoms-attenuated' group remained improved at week 16, and 10 (100.0%) patients at week 24. None out of three patients in the 'symptoms-persistent' group remained improved at weeks 16 and 24.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The selection of each alternative for long-term management according to the results of the assessment of symptoms at week 8 was useful and well tolerated. 'On-demand' therapy was equally effective. The 16-week therapy had the same efficacy as the 24-week therapy with regard to long-term lansoprazole treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Hyuk
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mi Jin
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jong Seung
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yon Ho
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Choe
mesh_terms: D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000188:drug therapy; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D064747:Lansoprazole; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D064747:Lansoprazole