title: Effects of rikkunshito on quality of life in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease refractory to proton pump inhibitor therapy.
abstract: We investigated the effects of rikkunshito, in combination with a proton pump inhibitor, on symptoms and quality of life in patients with proton pump inhibitor-refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease. The subjects were 47 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease with residual symptoms such as heartburn following 8 weeks of proton pump inhibitor therapy. We administered these subjects rikkunshito in combination with a proton pump inhibitor for 6-8 weeks. We scored their symptoms of heartburn, fullness, abdominal discomfort, and abdominal pain, and surveyed their quality of life using the Reflux Esophagitis Symptom Questionnaire, comprising questions concerning daily activities, meals (changes in amount and favorite foods), and sleep (getting to sleep and early morning waking). Improvement was seen in all symptoms, and quality of life scores for meals and sleep also improved. These results indicate that combination therapy with rikkunshito and a proton pump inhibitor improves quality of life related to eating and sleep in patients with patients with proton pump inhibitor-refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterological Endoscopy, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kawai
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine and Primary Care, Tokyo Medical University Hospital, 6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hirayama
authors.affiliation: Shinjuku NS Building Clinic, 2-4-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-0820, Japan.
authors.forename: Aiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oguchi
authors.affiliation: Shinjuku Mitsui Building Clinic, 2-1-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 183-0410, Japan.
authors.forename: Fumi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, International Catholic Hospital, 2-5-1 Nakaochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 161-8521, Japan.
authors.forename: Masanao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matushita
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Shinjuku Medical Center, 5-1 Tsukudo-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0821, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kitayama
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Shinjuku Medical Center, 5-1 Tsukudo-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0821, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morishita
authors.affiliation: Hiratsuka Gastroenterological Hospital Shinjuku Center Clinic, 1-25-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-0690, Japan.
authors.forename: Noboru
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hiratsuka
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, NTT Medical Center Tokyo, 5-9-22 Higashi-gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-8625, Japan.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohata
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Konishi
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan.
authors.forename: Maiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kishino
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakamura
keywords: gastroesophageal reflux disease; proton pump inhibitor; quality of life; rikkunshito