The Benefits of Combination Therapy with Esomeprazole and Rebamipide in Symptom Improvement in Reflux Esophagitis: An International Multicenter Study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of esomeprazole and rebamipide combination therapy on symptomatic improvement in patients with reflux esophagitis.


METHODS
A total of 501 patients with reflux esophagitis were randomized into one of the following two treatment regimens: 40 mg esomeprazole plus 300 mg rebamipide daily (combination therapy group) or 40 mg esomeprazole daily (monotherapy group). We used a symptom questionnaire that evaluated heartburn, acid regurgitation, and four upper gastrointestinal symptoms. The primary efficacy end point was the mean decrease in the total symptom score.


RESULTS
The mean decreases in the total symptom score at 4 weeks were estimated to be -18.1±13.8 in the combination therapy group and -15.1±11.9 in the monotherapy group (p=0.011). Changes in reflux symptoms from baseline after 4 weeks of treatment were -8.4±6.6 in the combination therapy group and -6.8±5.9 in the monotherapy group (p=0.009).


CONCLUSIONS
Over a 4-week treatment course, esomeprazole and rebamipide combination therapy was more effective in decreasing the symptoms of reflux esophagitis than esomeprazole monotherapy.
Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea.
Su Jin
SJ
Hong
Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Soo-Heon
SH
Park
Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jeong Seop
JS
Moon
Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Woon Geon
WG
Shin
Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jae Gyu
JG
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Yong Chan
YC
Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
Dong Ho
DH
Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jae Young
JY
Jang
Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jae J
JJ
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hang-Lak
HL
Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, Korea.
Sang Woo
SW
Lee
Department of Preventive Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea.
Young
Y
Hwangbo
Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
Jianming
J
Xu
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
Bangmao
B
Wang
Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
Zhanxiong
Z
Xue
Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghi, China.
Fei
F
Liu
Department of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghi, China.
Yaozong
Y
Yuan
Department of Internal Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Somchai
S
Leelakusolvong
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines.
Frederick
F
Dy
D000328:Adult; D000409:Alanine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D064098:Esomeprazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015363:Quinolones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D015363:Quinolones; C052785:rebamipide; D064098:Esomeprazole; D000409:Alanine
Esomeprazole; Heartburn; Peptic esophagitis; Rebamipide; Symptoms