心理因素对质子泵抑制剂维持治疗老年非糜烂性反流病患者生活质量的影响

目的 探讨心理因素对质子泵抑制剂维持治疗的老年非糜烂性反流病(NERD)患者生活质量的影响. 方法 选择我院已确诊且用质子泵抑制剂(埃索美拉唑)维持治疗半年以上老年NERD患者76例,根据临床症状,参照反流性疾病问卷,将76例患者分为有症状组和无症状组,分别对两组患者进行Zung焦虑自评量表(SAS)和Zung抑郁自评量表(SDS)评分.并同时用胃食管反流病相关生活质量量表(GERD HRQL)和SF 36健康量表评估患者生活质量. 结果 与无症状组及健康对照组比较,有症状组SAS、SDS 评分明显升高(P＜0.05),GERD-HRQL评分增高(x2=19.689,P＜0.01),SF-36除生理功能外的其他7个健康维度评分明显降低(P＜0.05).相关分析发现,有症状组SAS、SDS得分与GERD-HRQL评分呈正相关(P＜0.01),与SF-36除生理功能外的其他7个健康维度评分呈负相关(P＜0.05). 结论 质子泵抑制剂疗效差的老年NERD患者,多数合并心理问题,生活质量明显下降;老年NERD患者心理异常与生活质量下降明显相关.     

胃食管反流病患者生活质量调查187例

目的:调查消化门诊人群胃食管反流病(gastroesophageal reflux disease,GERD)生活质量状况.方法:针对安徽铜陵三家市级医院2008-06/08消化内科门诊连续就诊人群,根据国内通用的GERD临床诊断标准(RDQ总积分≥12分)和洛杉矶反流性食管炎(RE)内镜诊断标准进行GERD调查和诊断,采用中文版SF-36生存质量量表进行GERD患者生活质量状况地评估.所有调查资料使用Epi Data 3.0软件建立数据库,利用SPSS13.0做统计学分析.根据数据的分布特征,分别采用X2检验、非参数检验、两样本t检验.结果:三家市级医院消化内科门诊7 352例连续就诊患者中共调查诊断出GERD 199例.187例GERD患者实际参与了生活质量状况的调查,选取了374例同年龄同性别的正常健康人群进行了病例对照研究.结果显示,GERD病例组8个纬度生活质量评分、SF-36量表总分均明显低于健康对照组,有显著性差异(P<0.05).非糜烂性反流病(nonerosive reflux disease,NERD)组7个纬度生活质量评分、SF-36量表总分均明显低于反流性食管炎(reflux esophagitis,RE)组患者,有显著性差异(P<0.05).无论NERD或RE组女性患者生活质量量表总分均明显低于男性,有显著性差异(P<0.05).结论:GERD患者生活质量较正常健康人群明显下降;在NERD、女性患者中更为突出.精神心理因素可能在GERD发病中起到一定作用.     

不同亚型胃食管反流病临床特点的调查研究

目的 探讨非糜烂性反流病（NERD）和糜烂性食管炎（RE）的人口、症状谱、患者生活质量和精神心理状态特点。方法连续入组具有反酸、反胃、烧心或非心源性胸痛病程超过6个月的胃食管反流病（GERD）患者。除外有消化性溃疡、系统性疾病、继发性食管炎或有胃肠手术史者。所有入组患者均需要完成症状问卷调查（包括反流症状、食管外症状及重叠症状）、GERD生活质量（GERD—HRQL）调查（0～50分，高分代表生活质量差）、SF-36（包括生理功能、生理职能、心理职能、活力、精神健康、社会功能、疼痛和总体健康8个维度，每个维度0～100分，高分代表生活质量高）、精神心理状态（Zung氏焦虑抑郁白评量表，超过50分为异常）。所有人组患者均行胃镜检查，根据内镜检查结果分为NERD和RE。结果共纳入158例患者，平均年龄为（52．96±15．73）岁，其中NERD94例，RE64例，男性占42．4％。（1）婚姻状态、教育、职业、饮食习惯和体重指数，两组间差异无统计学意义。（2）反流症状积分两组差异无统计学意义；但与RE组比较，NERD组同时具有食管外症状和重叠症状的比率明显升高（分别为77．7％vs56．3％和77．7％vs59．4％，P〈0．05）。（3）NERD患者存在精神心理异常的比率高于RE患者（68．1％vs45．3％，P〈0．05）。（4）RE患者生活质量优于NERD，RE患者GERD—HRQL为（13．53±6．68），NERD患者为（18．17±6．65）；跟RE患者相比，NERD患者SF-36问卷8个维度中的5个差异无统计学意义。结论NERD和RE具有不同的临床特征。NERD食管外症状、重叠症状、精神心理异常、生活质量下降的发生率较RE高，提示NERD和RE可能具有不同的发病机制，NERD的发生可能与脑-肠相互作用有部分关系。     

难治性胃食管反流病159例不同亚型生命质量和精神心理因素研究

目的探讨难治性胃食管反流病(rGERD)患者的生命质量和精神心理因素。方法回顾性选择2016年9月至2019年3月就诊于首都医科大学附属北京同仁医院消化内科的rGERD患者159例,根据胃镜下有无远端食管黏膜损伤,将患者分成难治性反流性食管炎(RE)组(58例)和难治性非糜烂性反流病(NERD)组(101例)。记录并比较两组患者的一般资料、24 h食管阻抗-pH值测定结果、食管高分辨率测压(HRM)结果、胃食管反流病问卷(GerdQ)评分、简明健康状况调查量表(SF-36)评分、焦虑自评量表(SAS)评分和抑郁自评量表(SDS)评分。统计学方法采用独立样本t检验、秩和检验、卡方检验和多元线性回归分析。结果两组患者性别构成比、年龄、腹围、BMI差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。难治性NERD组食管外症状发生率高于难治性RE组[45.5%(46/101)比24.1%(14/58)],差异有统计学意义(χ2=7.185,P=0.010)。难治性NERD组患者气体反流、弱酸反流、非酸反流次数均多于难治性RE组[分别为66.20次(45.20次,111.60次)比38.40次(23.5...     

胃食管反流病并功能性消化不良患者临床反流症状及生活质量的特点

[目的]探讨反流性食管炎（RE）和非糜烂性胃食管反流病（NERD）合并功能性消化不良（FD）患者反流症状及生活质量特点。[方法]该研究为多中心临床研究,在济南市的三家医院同期入选RE并FD 35例,NERD并FD73例。均符合内镜下RE的诊断标准,无RE者则为24 h食管pH监测阳性的NERD。进行反流症状及生活质量问卷调查并记录积分,然后对上述资料进行统计比较分析。[结果]①胃食管反流病（GERD）和FD病因尚不清楚,但症状可互相重叠。②NERD并FD临床反流症状积分（13.8±2.2）分,患者尽管没有可见的食管糜烂,但比RE并FD[（10.5±1.9）分]患者重（P〈0.01）,NERD并FD与RE并FD比较,在活力、躯体疼痛和总体健康3个维度上前者低于后者（P〈0.01）,余维度无统计学意义。[结论]①GERD和FD病因可能具有共同的神经胃肠病学基础。②NERD并FD患者反流症状严重,可能与NERD患者食管内脏高敏感性有关,对生活质量影响更大。     

雷贝拉唑联合氟哌噻吨美利曲辛治疗非糜烂性胃食管反流病伴焦虑抑郁患者的效果

目的探讨雷贝拉唑联合氟哌噻吨美利曲辛治疗非糜烂性胃食管反流病伴焦虑抑郁患者的疗效。方法选取134例非糜烂性胃食管反流病伴焦虑抑郁患者,随机分为对照组和治疗组。对照组给予雷贝拉唑钠肠溶片治疗,治疗组患者在对照组用药基础上给予氟哌噻吨美利曲辛胶囊治疗,以8周为治疗疗程,观察两组患者治疗前后临床症状的改善,治疗效果及不良反应发生情况。结果两组治疗后临床症状评分均低于治疗前,且治疗组显著低于对照组(P0.05);治疗组的总有效率为93.94%,显著高于对照组的77.94%(P0.05)。结论雷贝拉唑联合氟哌噻吨美利曲辛在非糜烂性胃食管反流病(NERD)伴焦虑抑郁患者治疗中,疗效优于单用雷贝拉唑,具有较高的临床推广意义。     

心理干预联合黛力新治疗非糜烂性反流病伴精神心理障碍的临床研究

目的观察心理干预联合黛力新治疗非糜烂性反流病(NERD)合并精神心理障碍患者的临床治疗效果。方法采用胃食管反流病问卷(Gerd Q)、综合医院焦虑/抑郁情绪测定量表(HAD)调查84例NERD患者,并将其随机分为干预组、对照组,干预组予以心理干预、黛力新、雷贝拉唑钠肠溶片治疗,对照组予以雷贝拉唑钠肠溶片治疗。结果干预组与对照组患者治疗后Gerd Q症状评分及HAD评分结果差异均有显著统计学意义(P0.01),干预组治疗总有效率显著高于对照组(P0.01)。结论心理干预联合黛力新治疗NERD合并精神心理障碍患者能够显著提高治疗效果,降低复发率。     

雷贝拉唑对反流性食管炎患者生活质量的影响

反流性食管炎(RE)患者胃和(或)十二指肠内容物反流入食管引起烧心、反酸、胸骨后疼痛等症状,并造成食管黏膜病理性损害,患者的心理状态和生活质量亦受影响.随着医学模式的日趋完善,社会和心理因素与疾病的关系逐渐引起重视,生活质量是衡量疾病及治疗措施对躯体、心理和社会活动影响的综合指标.本研究采用36项健康状况调查(SF36)量表[1],对RE患者雷贝拉唑治疗前、后生活质量进行问卷调查,评价该药对RE患者生活质量的影响.     

老年胃食管反流病患者血清胃蛋白酶原的变化及其与反流症状评分的关系

目的研究老年胃食管反流病(GERD)患者血清胃蛋白酶原(PGⅠ、Ⅱ)的浓度及其与反流症状的关系。方法选择老年GERD患者,记录经埃索美拉唑治疗前后GERD Q评分和相应的血清PGⅠ、Ⅱ的浓度。结果治疗组治疗前后PGⅠ和PGⅡ浓度差异显著(P<0.05)。治疗组中反流性胃炎(RE)共64例,非糜烂性反流病(NERD)134例;治疗前RE和NERD组PGⅠ与PGⅡ水平无差异(P>0.05);治疗后RE和NERD组PGⅡ水平无显著差异(P>0.05),PGⅠ差异显著(P<0.05),治疗前后PGⅠ、Ⅱ下降值RE明显高于NERD(P<0.05),RE和NERD组治疗前后PGⅠ、PGⅡ水平差异显著(P<0.05)。5级GERD Q评分各级血清PGⅠ、Ⅱ浓度比较治疗前后各级的PGⅠ、Ⅱ浓度差异显著,且和分级有相关性(P<0.05)。结论老年GERD患者PGⅠ和Ⅱ血清浓度与非GERD老年人群比较升高;老年RE患者的PGⅠ血清浓度与NERD患者比较升高,治疗后下降;老年GERD患者PGⅠ和Ⅱ血清浓度与Gerd Q评分有明确相关性,可作为老年GERD诊断的辅助手段和随访的重要手段。     

老年胃食管反流病患者临床症状、心理状况和生活质量调查

背景:近年来,胃食管反流病(GERD)的患病率呈增高趋势,且其患病率随年龄的增长而增加。目的:分析GERD患者,尤其是老年GERD患者的胃食管反流症状、食管外症状、精神心理和生活质量状况,为GERD的诊治提供依据。方法:于2007年1月～2009年7月连续纳入GERD患者296例(老年组160例,非老年组136例),同期纳入正常对照者60例。以反流性疾病问卷(RDQ)和食管外症状调查问卷评价患者的胃食管反流症状和食管外症状,Zung焦虑自评量表(SAS)和Zung抑郁自评量表(SDS)调查患者的精神心理状况,SF-36健康凋查量表评价患者的生活质量情况。结果:GERD患者的胃食管反流症状和食管外症状较正常对照组更常见且更严重,SAS评分和SDS评分明显高于正常对照组,SF-36评分明显低于正常对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。GERD组老年患者与非老年患者间的胃食管反流症状差异无统计学意义;老年GERD患者的食管外症状发生率较高,SAS和SDS评分明显高于非老年患者,SF-36评分明显低于非老年患者,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:GERD患者常伴有精神心理异常和生活质量下降。老年人更易罹患GERD,老年GERD患者食管外症状较常见,心理健康水平更易受到影响,生活质量下降更为明显。     

Irsogladine maleate and rabeprazole in non-erosive reflux disease: A double-blind,placebo-controlled study

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy of adding irsogladine maleate(IM) to proton-pump inhibitor(PPI) therapy in non-erosive reflux disease(NERD) treatment.METHODS:One hundred patients with NERD were recruited and randomized to receive rabeprazole plus IM(group I) or rabeprazole plus placebo(group P).The efficacy of the treatment was assessed using the Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease(FSSG) and the short form(SF)-36 quality of life questionnaires after four weeks of treatment.We also assessed whether patients with NERD with minimal changes(grade M) had different responses to the therapies compared with patients who did not have minimal changes(grade N).RESULTS:Group I and group P showed significant improvements in their FSSG scores after the treatment(from 17.9 ± 7.9 to 9.0 ± 7.6, and from 17.7 ± 7.3 to 11.2 ± 7.9, respectively, P = 0.0001), but there was no statistically significant difference between the FSSG scores in group I and those in group P.Subgroup analysis showed that significant improvements in the FSSG scores occurred in the patients in group I who had NERD grade N(modified Los Angeles classification)(7.8 ± 7.4 vs 12.5 ± 9.8, P = 0.041).The SF-36 scores for patients with NERD grade N who had received IM and rabeprazole were significantly improved in relation to their vitality and mental health scores.CONCLUSION:The addition of IM to rabeprazole significantly improves gastroesophageal reflux diseasesymptoms and the quality of the lives of patients with NERD grade N.     

Short‐term and long‐term effect of diaphragm biofeedback training in gastroesophageal reflux disease: an open‐label,pilot, randomized trial

This study investigated the effectiveness of diaphragm biofeedback training (DBT) for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A total of 40 patients with GERD treated at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital between September 2004 and July 2006 were randomized to receive DBT and rabeprazole proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or rabeprazole alone. The DBT + rabeprazole group received DBT during the 8‐week initial treatment; the rabeprazole group did not. During the 6‐month follow up, all patients took acid suppression according to their reflux symptoms, and the patients in the DBT + rabeprazole group were required to continue DBT. The primary outcome (used for power analysis) was the amount of acid suppression used at 6 months. Secondary outcomes were reflux symptoms, health‐related quality of life (HRQL), and esophageal motility differences after the 8‐week treatment compared with baseline. Acid suppression usage significantly decreased in the DBT + rabeprazole group compared with the rabeprazole group at 6 months (P < 0.05). At 8 weeks, reflux s ymptoms and GERD‐HRQL were significantly improved in both groups (P < 0.05), without difference between them. Crural diaphragm tension (CDT) and gastroesophageal junction pressure (GEJP) significantly increased in the DBT + rabeprazole group (P < 0.05), but without change in lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure. There was no significant change in CDT, GEJP, and LES pressure compared with baseline in the rabeprazole group. In conclusion, long‐term DBT could reduce acid suppression usage by enhancing the anti‐reflux barrier, providing a non‐pharmacological maintenance therapy and reducing medical costs for patients with GERD.     

反流性食管炎和非糜烂性反流病患者症状谱、生活质量和精神心理状态调查

背景：胃食管反流病（GERD）包括非糜烂性反流病（NERD）、反流性食管炎（RE）和Barrett食管（BE），其发病机制可能有所不同。目的：分析比较NERD和RE患者的人口学特征和临床特点，为探讨其发病机制和有效治疗提供依据。方法：对连续入组的278例GERD患者进行问卷调查，内容包括一般人口学资料、胃食管反流以及相关症状评分、食管外症状、重叠症状、生活质量评价和精神心理状态评价。结果：NERD和RE分别占GERD的60．8％和37．1％；与RE组相比，NERD患者以女性多见（P〈0．05），平均年龄较轻（R〈0．05）。胃食管反流症状评分在两组患者间无显著差异，但RE组烧心频率较NERD组高（P〈0．05），而NERD组胸骨后疼痛更突出，反食症状较轻。两组患者的食管外症状、重叠症状发生率无显著差异。NERD组患者生活质量下降更明显。NERD组患者合并精神心理异常的比例显著高于RE组（P〈0．05），且抑郁评分高。结论：本组资料中大部分GERD患者为NERD，NERD和RE的反流以及相关症状谱无显著差异。但NERD患者常合并精神心理异常、生活质量下降，提示精神心理因素在NERD的发病中可能起重要作用。     

Characteristics of symptomatic reflux episodes in Japanese proton pump inhibitor-refractory non-erosive reflux disease patients

AIM: To clarify the pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms in non-erosive reflux disease(NERD) patients.METHODS: Thirty-five NERD patients with persistent symptoms, despite taking rabeprazole 10 mg twice daily for at least 8 wk, were included in this study. All patients underwent 24 h combined impedance- p H on rabeprazole. The symptom index(SI) was considered to be positive if ≥ 50%, and proximal reflux episodes were determined when reflux reached 15 cm above the proximal margin of the lower esophageal sphincter.RESULTS: In 14(40%) SI-positive patients, with liquid weakly acid reflux, the occurrence rate of reflux symptoms was significantly more frequent in proximal reflux episodes(46.7%) than in distal ones(5.7%)(P 0.001). With liquid acid reflux, there were no significant differences in the occurrence rate of reflux symptoms between proximal reflux episodes(38.5%) and distal ones(20.5%)(NS). With mixed liquid-gas weakly acid reflux, the occurrence rate of reflux symptoms in proximal reflux episodes was significantly more frequent(31.0%) than in distal reflux ones(3.3%)(P 0.001). With mixed liquid-gas acid reflux, there were no significant differences in the occurrence rate of reflux symptoms between proximal reflux episodes(29.4%) and distal ones(14.3%)(NS).CONCLUSION: The proximal extent of weakly acidic liquid and mixed liquid-gas reflux is a major factor associated with reflux perception in SI-positive patients on proton pump inhibitor therapy.     

反流性食管炎与非糜烂性反流病食管酸暴露的特点比较

目的　比较反流性食管炎 (RE)与非糜烂性反流病 (NERD)各亚组食管酸暴露特点。方法　具有典型反酸 烧心等症状的 12 8例患者 ,经胃镜等系统检查诊断为胃食管反流病 (GERD)。便携式 pH监测仪行胃食管 2 4hpH监测 ,DeMeester积分≥ 15分为存在病理性酸反流。 结果　 12 8例患者中 ,37例 (2 8 9% )存在RE ,91例 (71 1% )为NERD。pH监测阳性在RE组和NERD组中分别为 2 5例 (6 7 6 % )和 4 6例 (5 0 5 % ) ,差异无统计学意义 ;两组DeMeester积分均值差异亦无统计学意义 (5 3 4 5± 6 2 0 4比 4 0 0 4± 6 1 80 ,P >0 0 5 )。RE组长反流次数显著高于NERD组 (8 16±10 2 7比 3 96± 6 87,P =0 0 0 4 )。以症状指数 >5 0 %为阳性 ,NERD阳性组 (pH值监测异常 )症状指数阳性率显著高于NERD阴性组 (pH值监测正常 ) (43 5 %比 15 6 % ,P <0 0 0 1)。NERD阴性组中具有阳性症状指数的患者 7例 (15 6 % ) ,阴性症状指数者 38例。前者总反流次数及立位反流时间百分比显著高于后者。RE患者中 ,12例 pH监测阴性者食管及胃内pH的中位值显著高于 pH监测阳性者。结论　RE患者长反流发生率高于NERD患者 ;症状的发生与酸反流相关 ;NERD患者根据酸反流与症状关系可分为不同的亚组。RE阴性组可能存在混合反流或胆汁反流     

Nonerosive reflux disease

Nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) is the most common phenotype of gastroesophageal reflux disease. By definition, patients with NERD have typical reflux symptoms caused by the intraesophageal reflux of gastric contents but have no visible esophageal mucosal injury. This is in contrast to patients with erosive reflux disease (ERD) or Barrett's esophagus (BE) who have obvious esophageal mucosal injury on endosco-py. Only 50% of patients with NERD have pathologic esophageal acid exposure as detected on 24-h pH monitoring. NERD patients with physiologic esophageal acid exposure and good temporal correlation of symptoms with reflux events are considered to have esophageal hypersensitivity, while patients with no symptom-reflux correlation are considered to have functional heartburn. It is possible yet uncommon for NERD to progress to severe ERD (i.e. LA Grade C or D) or BE. Patients with NERD and pathologic esophageal acid exposure have motor dysfunction and acid reflux abnormalities that are similar to patients with ERD and BE, whereas NERD patients with physiologic esophageal acid exposure have minimal abnormalities and are not much different than healthy controls. The pathological feature most indicative of NERD is the presence of dilated intercellular spaces within squamous epithelium, an ultrastructural abnormality readily identified on transmission electron microscopy but also on light microscopy. A symptomatic response to an empiric trial of high-dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy is a simple and useful strategy to establish the diagnosis of NERD, although histology and pH monitoring may be useful in confirming the diagnosis. Patients with NERD suffer similar decrements in quality of life as do patients with erosive esophagitis. Therapy is aimed at eliminating or reducing symptoms and improving quality of life. PPIs are the most effective agents for the treatment of NERD although they are less effective in providing symptom relief than in patients with erosive esophagitis. Laparoscopic antireflux surgery is an effective therapy for selected patients with NERD and outcomes are better when performed in high volume centers.     

Rabeprazole vsesomeprazole in non-erosive gastro-esophagea reflux disease： A randomized, double-blind study in urban Asia

AIM: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is becoming increasingly common in Asia. Data on the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors in patients with non-erosive GERD (NERD) in Asia is lacking. This double-blind study compared the efficacy and safety of rabeprazole with esomeprazole in relief of symptoms in patients with NERD. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-four patients with reflux symptoms of NERD and normal endoscopy were randomized to receive rabeprazole 10 mg or esomeprazole 20 mg once daily for 4 wk. Symptoms were recorded in a diary and changes in severity of symptoms noted. RESULTS: At 4 wk of treatment, rabeprazole 10 mg and esomeprazole 20 mg were comparable with regards to the primary endpoint of time to achieve 24-h symptom-free interval for heartburn 8.5 d vs 9 d and regurgitation 6 d vs 7.5 d. Rabeprazole and esomeprazole were also similarly efficacious in term of patient's global evaluation with 96% of patients on rabeprazole and 87.9% of patients on esomeprazole, reporting that symptoms improved (P= NS). Satisfactory relief of day- and night-time symptoms was achieved in 98% of patients receiving rabeprazole and 81.4% of patients receiving esomeprazole. Adverse events were comparable in both groups (P = NS). CONCLUSION: Rabeprazole 10 mg has a similar efficacy and safety profile in Asians with NERD as esomeprazole 20 mg. Further study is necessary to investigate whether the small differences between the two drugs seen in this study are related to the improved pharmacodynamic properties of rabeprazole. Both drugs were well tolerated.     

Characteristics of non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease refractory to proton pump inhibitor therapy

AIM:To investigate whether potent acid inhibition is effective in non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) refractory to standard rabeprazole (RPZ) treatment. METHODS:We treated 10 Japanese patients with NERD resistant to standard dosages of RPZ:10 mg or 20 mg od,20 mg bid,or 10 mg qid for 14 d. All patients completed a frequency scale for symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire frequency scale for the symptoms of GERD (FSSG); and underwent 24 h pH monitoring on day 14. RESULTS:With increased dos...     

A randomized open-label trial of on-demand rabeprazole vs ranitidine for patients with non-erosive reflux disease

AIM: To compare the efficacy of the proton-pump inhibitor, rabeprazole, with that of the H₂-receptor antagonist, ranitidine, as on-demand therapy for relieving symptoms associated with non-erosive reflux disease (NERD).METHODS: This is a single center, prospective, randomized, open-label trial of on-demand therapy with rabeprazole (group A) vs ranitidine (group B) for 4 wk. Eighty-three patients who presented to the American University of Beirut Medical Center with persistent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and a normal upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were eligible for the study. Patients in group A (n = 44) were allowed a maximum rabeprazole dose of 20 mg twice daily, while those in group B (n = 39) were allowed a maximum ranitidine dose of 300 mg twice daily. Efficacy was assessed by patient evaluation of global symptom relief, scores of the SF-36 quality of life (QoL) questionnaires, total number of pills used, and number of medication-free days.RESULTS: Among the 83 patients who were enrolled in the study, 76 patients (40 in the rabeprazole group and 36 in the ranitidine group) completed the 4-wk trial. Baseline characteristics were comparable between both groups. After 4 wk, there was no significant difference in the subjective global symptom relief between the rabeprazole and the ranitidine groups (71.4% vs 65.4%, respectively; P = 0.9). There were no statistically significant differences between mean cumulative scores of the SF-36 QoL questionnaire for the two study groups (rabeprazole 22.40 ± 27.53 vs ranitidine 17.28 ± 37.06; P = 0.582). There was no significant difference in the mean number of pills used (rabeprazole 35.70 ± 29.75 vs ranitidine 32.86 ± 26.98; P = 0.66). There was also no statistically significant difference in the mean number of medication-free days between both groups.CONCLUSION: Rabeprazole has a comparable efficacy compared to ranitidine when given on-demand for the treatment of NERD. Both medications were associated with improved quality of life.