On-demand treatment in patients with oesophagitis and reflux symptoms: comparison of lansoprazole and omeprazole

BACKGROUND: There are few data on how patients on maintenance treatment of reflux oesophagitis take their medication. This study was designed to investigate the dosing patterns of patients on on-demand treatment and to compare lansoprazole with omeprazole in this regard. METHODS: Patients with reflux oesophagitis, initially treated until absence of symptoms, took capsules of either lansoprazole (30 mg) or omeprazole (20 mg) for 6 months; they were instructed to take the medication only when reflux symptoms occurred. In order to document dosing patterns, the medication was dispensed in bottles supplied with a Medication Event Monitoring System recording date and time the bottles were opened. There were regular follow-up visits with assessment of symptoms. RESULTS: Three-hundred patients were eligible for analysis according to 'all patients treated'. A dosing pattern was found of an increased intake mornings and evenings and constant intervals between intakes. Although there was no correlation between oesophagitis grade or initial symptoms and the amount of medication consumed, the patients had significantly fewer reflux symptoms the more medication they consumed. There was no difference in the number of capsules consumed between the lansoprazole (0.73 capsules/day) and omeprazole groups (0.71 capsules/day). Nor was there any difference between the groups in reflux symptoms during the course of the study. CONCLUSION: Despite rigorous instructions to take medication on demand, the results suggest that it is patient habits more so than symptoms that determine the frequency and interval of medication intake. Symptoms are not therefore decisive for the amount of medication consumed.     

High prevalence of reflux symptoms in duodenal ulcer patients who develop gastro-oesophageal reflux disease after curing Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease may develop following eradication of Helicobacter pylori. However gastro-oesophageal reflux disease could be preexistent and misdiagnosed since patients often misinterpret gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms or focus their attention on abdominal symptoms. A questionnaire for analysis of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms has not been used until now. METHODS: A total of 70 patients with duodenal ulcer and Helicobacter pylori gastritis, without oesophagitis and/or typical gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms were studied. All patients received a questionnaire with 5 items focused on abdominal symptoms and 5 on gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms. The two symptom scores were calculated separately. After Helicobacter pylori treatment, follow-up consisted of clinical controls every 3 months for 1 year. Patients were asked to describe their complaints and to answer the questionnaire. If gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms recurred endoscopy was performed. RESULTS: At interview, all patients reported a significant improvement in their abdominal symptoms after eradication; however 23 patients (32.8%: group A) reported the occurrence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms, and 5 of them developed oesophagitis; gastrooesophageal reflux disease symptoms did not appear in the remaining 47 patients (group B). Basal gastro-oesophageal reflux disease score was significantly higher in group A than in group B (1.9+/-1.5 vs 0.9+/-0.9, p<0.005), while the abdominal symptoms score was not different. Following eradication, the score for abdominal symptoms decreased significantly (4.2+/-1.5 vs 1+/-0.8, p<0.0001) in the two groups; conversely, the total gastro-oesophageal reflux disease score remained unchanged, improving in 2 patients in group A and 11 in B, and worsening in 5 in group A and in 1 in B. Presence of hiatus hernia and male sex significantly correlated with the development of reflux symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who present with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease after Helicobacter pylori eradication are likely to already be affected by gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.     

Long-term clinical course of extra-oesophageal manifestations in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: A prospective follow-up analysis based on the ProGERD study

BACKGROUND: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease can be associated with extra-oesophageal reflux disease such as chronic cough or laryngeal symptoms. The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical course of extra-oesophageal reflux disease in a large population with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and extra-oesophageal reflux disease under routine clinical care. METHODS: ProGERD is a prospective multicentre cohort study of 6215 outpatients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. At baseline all patients underwent endoscopies and were interviewed for extra-oesophageal reflux disease. Initial standardised treatment was esomeprazole for up to 8 weeks. After 2 years of follow-up, reflux symptoms and the prevalence of extra-oesophageal reflux disease were assessed. A multivariate analysis was performed with resolved versus persistent symptoms for chronic cough and laryngeal symptoms as dependent predictors. Independent variables were gender, age, body mass index (BMI), alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease classification, history of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in the family, duration of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and proton pump inhibitors medication. RESULTS: Four thousand four hundred and four patients (71%) were available for analysis at 2 years, including 570 and 454 patients who had chronic cough and laryngeal disorders at baseline, respectively. In 63% and 74% of the patients, chronic cough and laryngeal disorders had resolved. Patients with persistent respiratory symptoms in year 2 had significantly more reflux symptoms. Further clinically relevant associations were smoking and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use. According to the multivariate analysis, classification of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, proton pump inhibitors medication or duration of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease were not associated with the resolution of cough or laryngeal symptoms. CONCLUSION: In most patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and extra-oesophageal reflux disease, respiratory symptoms resolve during long-term routine care. A high reflux symptom load was associated with the persistence of respiratory disorders.     

Is scintigraphy of value in the diagnosis of gastrooesophageal reflux disease?

One hundred and ten patients with suspected oesophageal symptoms were investigated by means of oesophageal endoscopy (OE), 24-h pH-metry, and oesophageal scintigraphy (ES). When 24-h pH-metry formed the basis for diagnosis of gastrooesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the sensitivity for ES at abdominal compression was 64%, but no statistically significant differences were found among erect refluxers (ER), supine refluxers (SR), and combined refluxers (CR). Only 4% of the GERD patients had pathologic oesophageal clearing at ES. The more severe the macroscopic oesophagitis found by OE, the more pronounced were the abnormal findings at 24-h pH-metry and at ES with abdominal compression. Increased postprandial reflux was associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux and hiatal hernia at ES with abdominal compression and the most severe form of oesophagitis, respectively. It was concluded that ES had too low sensitivity to be recommended as a screening test for GERD. Nevertheless, the specificity of 76% can to some extent help us to rule out GERD in patients.     

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in Sudan: a clinical endoscopic and histopathological study.

This study was conducted to assess the frequency of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Barrett's esophagus among Sudanese patients with clinical symptoms of heartburn. One hundred and five patients were included in the study; forty seven patients had evidence of reflux oesophagitis, 61.7% of whom had grade B oesophagitis according to the modified Los Angeles classification and 10.6% had Barrett's oesophagus. 78.7% of the biopsies from the esophageal cardia revealed presenced of inflammation (Carditis). Dysplasia was documented in 21.3% of these biopsies. Helicobacter pylori was detected 59.6% of gastrooesophageal reflux disease patients and 56.8% of patients with carditis. However, 80% of patients with Barrett oesophagus were positive for Helicobacter pylori. It was concluded that gastro-oesophageal reflux disease affects all age groups with males being affected more than females and Helicobacter pylori infection did not play a major role in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease orits complications.     

When are reflux episodes symptomatic?

Careful scrutiny of pH recordings and symptom diaries in patients having 24-hour pH-metry reveals that most reflux episodes are asymptomatic. Although this observation is well known and long recognized, the explanation for why one reflux episode leads to symptoms and others do not is incompletely understood. Forty-four patients with chronic typical gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms referred for ambulatory pH testing were studied. Antisecretory medication was stopped 2 weeks prior to the study. Two meals were taken during the study; one standardized (hamburger, fries, milk-shake) and one at the patient's discretion. A system onset marker noted the type, beginning and end of symptoms (heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain). Age, sex, upright/supine position, nadir pH, time pH < 4, and relationship to meals were compared for symptomatic/asymptomatic reflux episodes. An acid reflux event was defined as a drop in pH < 4 lasting > 5 seconds. The pH catheter detected 1464 reflux episodes. Only 93 (6.3%) were symptomatic. Forty-six of the 93 (49.4%) were associated with heartburn, 38 (40.9%) with regurgitation, and nine (9.7%) with chest pain. Nadir pH was significantly lower in symptomatic episodes. Nearly 50% of symptomatic reflux episodes occurred after meals, especially after non-standardized compared to standardized meal. Symptomatic episodes tended to be longer in duration and to occur in the supine position, while age/sex made no difference. Six percent of the reflux episodes were temporally associated with typical GERD symptoms. This association seems to be influenced by the acidity of the refluxate. Nearly half of the symptomatic reflux episodes occurred after eating.     

Pulmonary function in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease of elderly people.

An effect of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) on respiratory function was studied in elderly patients. Twenty-seven patients with, and 29 patients without, abnormal gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) in 24-hour pH monitoring were included in the study. Symptoms suggestive of gastrooesophageal reflux disease were recorded and spirometry was performed in all the patients. Patients with abnormal GOR had lower vital capacity (percentage of predicted value) (VC%) than those with normal pH monitoring result (92 vs 102, p = 0.032). Forced vital capacity (FVC%) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%) did not differ between these two groups. Thirty-two per cent of patients with slight and 73% of patients with moderate or severe reflux in pH monitoring had abnormal VC%, FVC%, or FEV1% (less than 80% of predicted value) at spirometry (vs 30% of patients without reflux, p = 0.039). When patients were divided according to their symptoms suggestive of GORD, lower VC%, FVC%, and FEV1% were found in patients with than in those without symptoms (87 vs 102, p = 0.0018; 76 vs 91, p = 0.0099; 80 vs 93, p = 0.0026). In conclusion, mainly a restrictive ventilatory defect was associated with GORD in elderly patients.     

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a progressive disease

It is controversial whether gastrooesophageal reflux disease represents a spectrum disease from a nonerosive to a complicated one, or whether it is a categorial disease, i.e. it can be divided into three categories, such as nonerosive gastrooesophageal reflux disease, erosive gastrooesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus (BE) with little or no transition from one category to the other. This controversy might be of general interest, because it has some implications in the management of the patient. However, literature data concerning the natural history of gastrooesophageal reflux disease are very limited, and in particular very few papers have dealt with the issue of describing the natural history of patients with nonerosive gastrooesophageal reflux disease. Aim of the present review is to reassess these scanty data, and to try to demonstrate that progression from milder to more severe forms of gastrooesophageal reflux disease is possible and documented.     

Efficacy of endoluminal gastroplication in Japanese patients with proton pump inhibitor-resistant, non-erosive esophagitis

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy,safety,and long-term outcomes of endoluminal gastroplication(ELGP) in patients with proton pump inhibitor(PPI)-resistant,nonerosive reflux disease(NERD).METHODS:The subjects were NERD patients,diagnosed by upper endoscopy before PPI use,who had symptoms such as heartburn or reflux sensations two or more times a week even after 8 wk of full-dose PPI treatment.Prior to ELGP,while continuing full-dose PPI medication,patients' symptoms and quality of life(QOL) were assessed using the questionnaire for the diagnosis of reflux disease,the frequency scale for symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease(FSSG),gastrointestinal symptoms rating scale,a 36-item short-form.In addition,24-h esophageal pH monitoring or 24-h intraesophageal pH/impedance(MII-pH) monitoring was performed.The Bard EndoCinch TM was used for ELGP,and 2 or 3 plications were made.After ELGP,all acid reducers were temporarily discontinued,and medication was resumed depending on the development and severity of symptoms.Three mo after ELGP,symptoms,QOL,pH or MII-pH monitoring,number of plications,and PPI medication were evaluated.Further,symptoms,number of plications,and PPI medication were evaluated 12 mo after ELGP to investigate long-term effects.RESULTS:The mean FSSG score decreased significantly from before ELGP to 3 and 12 mo after ELGP(19.1 ± 10.5 to 10.3 ± 7.4 and 9.3 ± 9.9,P 0.05,respectively).The total number of plications decreased gradually at 3 and 12 mo after ELGP(2.4 ± 0.8 to 1.2 ± 0.8 and 0.8 ± 1.0,P 0.05,respectively).The FSSG scores in cases with no remaining plications and in cases with one or more remaining plications were 4.4 and 2.7,respectively,after 3 mo,and 2.0 and 2.8,respectively,after 12 mo,showing no correlation to plication loss.On pH monitoring,there was no difference in the percent time pH 4 from before ELGP to 3 mo after.Impedance monitoring revealed no changes in the number of reflux episodes or the symptom index for reflux events from before ELGP to 3 mo after,but the symptom sensitivity index decreased significantly 3 mo after ELGP(16.1 ± 12.9 to 3.9 ± 8.3,P 0.01).At 3 mo after ELGP,6 patients(31.6%) had reduced their PPI medication by 50% or more,and 11 patients(57.9%) were able to discontinue PPI medication altogether.After 12 mo,3 patients(16.7%) were able to reduce the amount of PPI medication by 50% or more,and 12 patients(66.7%) were able to discontinue PPI medication altogether.A high percentage of cases with remaining plications had discontinued PPIs medication after 3 mo,but there was no difference after 12 mo.No serious complications were observed in this study.CONCLUSION:ELGP was safe,resulted in significant improvement in subjective symptoms,and allowed less medication to be used over the long term in patients with PPI-refractory NERD.     

The utility of ambulatory pH monitoring in patients presenting with chronic cough and asthma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients presenting with asthma and chronic cough. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The charts of 358 consecutive patients who were referred for ambulatory gastroesophageal pH monitoring to the Lung Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia, were reviewed, and the data of 108 (30%) patients with asthma and 134 (37%) patients with chronic cough were analyzed. The maintenance treatment for GERD was discontinued before patients underwent the pH monitoring study. One hundred eighteen (33%) patients were excluded. RESULTS: Reflux episodes identified reflux events as the percentage of time where the pH was less than four. For asthma patients, 70 (64.8%) had distal total reflux, 50 (46.3%) had distal upright reflux, 41 (38.3%) had distal supine reflux and 73 (67.6%) had other distal refluxes. Proximal total reflux in asthmatic patients was present in 56 (52%), proximal upright reflux in 55 (51%) and proximal supine reflux in 56 (52%) patients. For chronic cough patients, 70 (52.6%) had distal total reflux, 59 (44.4%) had distal upright reflux, 45 (34.4%) had distal supine reflux and 75 (56%) patients had other distal refluxes. In chronic cough patients, proximal total reflux was present in 70 (52%), proximal upright reflux in 80 (60%) and proximal supine reflux in 59 (44%). Presenting respiratory and/or reflux symptoms were absent in approximately 25% of patients with asthma and reflux, and in approximately 50% of patients with chronic cough and reflux. During pH monitoring, symptoms did not differ significantly between those with and without distal reflux in both study groups, except for more significant heartburn in patients with chronic cough and reflux (RR 2.0). CONCLUSIONS: The data of the present study support the observation that there is a high prevalence of GERD in patients with asthma or chronic cough. The use of different pH parameters for detecting acid reflux during 24 h ambulatory pH monitoring, such as proximal esophageal acid measurement, should be considered as part of the routine interpretation of such testing. A low threshold for diagnosing GERD in patients with asthma or chronic cough is essential, because respiratory and/or reflux symptoms can be absent or atypical in some of these patients.     

Pathologic gastroesophageal reflux in patients with bronchial asthma

Gastrooesophageal reflux (GER) and asthma bronchiale are frequent diseases. Asthma affects some 3-10% of adults. Gastrooesophageal reflux is present in some 45-89% asthmatic patients. Symptoms of GER are not only gastrooesophageal, and recently increased attention is focused on extraoesophageal symptoms where in particular the relationship of GER and asthma or chronic cough is investigated. At our clinic we implemented a pilot study with the objective to monitor the presence of pathological GER in patients with asthma and to assess whether antireflux therapy will influence the respiratory complaints of the patients. The group was formed by 14 patients selected at random with different severity of asthma and different symptoms of GER. The patients had a baseline examination evaluating the presence of GER (24-hour pH metry) and pulmonary function (FEV1). In case of a pathological GER the patients were treated by antireflux therapy and then check-up examinations were made. It was found that after treatment of GER in patients with asthma in particular subjective symptoms improved such as cough and pyrosis which leads to a substantial improvement of the quality of life. On the other hand reflux treatment did not exert a basic effect on pulmonary functions and it was not possible to reduce the medication of asthma.     

Weight loss has an independent beneficial effect on symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux in patients who are overweight.

BACKGROUND: Weight loss is commonly recommended as part of first-line management of gastrooesophageal reflux disease (GORD) despite the paucity of published clinical trials. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the independent effect of weight loss on reflux symptoms in overweight individuals with either normal endoscopic findings or grade-I oesophagitis. METHODS: Thirty-four patients were recruited on the basis of a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 23 and symptoms of GORD for at least 6 months. All patients were advised to lose weight. Symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) were scored, using a modified DeMeester questionnaire at 0, 6, and 26 weeks. Patients who were unable to stop taking all medication for control of symptoms were excluded from the study. Changes in weight and symptom score were analysed by using a paired t test. Correlation between change in weight and symptom score was assessed with the Pearson correlation test. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were studied (18 men and 16 women) with a mean age of 65 years (range, 24-70 years). The mean weight at recruitment was 83.4 kg (standard deviation (s), 4.5 kg; BMI, 23.5 kg/m2 (s, 2.3 kg/m2). Twenty-seven patients (80% of the total) lost weight with a mean of 4.0 kg (P < 0.01) and improved by a mean reduction of 75% from the initial symptom score (P < 0.001). In nine patients the symptoms disappeared completely. Three patients gained weight and had a deterioration of their symptoms, whereas four patients gained weight but still improved their symptom score. There was a significant direct correlation between weight loss and symptom score (R = 0.548, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown a significant association between weight loss and improvement in symptoms of GOR. Patients who are overweight should be encouraged to lose weight as part of the first-line management.     

Five year prospective study of the incidence, clinical features, and diagnosis of achalasia in Edinburgh.

With the increasing availability of manometry, patients with achalasia are often referred at an early stage when they lack the classic features of established disease. A prospective five year study of the presenting features of untreated achalasia referred to our department was undertaken. Twenty men and 18 women presented throughout adult life, with a mean age at the time of diagnosis of 44 years (range 17 to 76 years). The presenting symptoms were dysphagia: for solids (100%) and for liquids (97%), chest pain (74%), and weight loss (60%). Endoscopy was reported as normal in 15 patients and achalasia was suggested in only 21 of 33 barium examinations. Fourteen had been treated for gastrooesophageal reflux but none had been misdiagnosed as having cardiac or psychiatric disease. The annual incidence of achalasia in the Lothian region is 0.8/100,000 of population. Persistent dysphagia is the cardinal symptom of achalasia which presents throughout adult life. Nevertheless, recent onset achalasia is often misdiagnosed as gastrooesophageal reflux disease. Because endoscopy is frequently normal and the diagnosis is often not made by radiology, manometric investigation is necessary if the condition is to be recognised and treated at an early stage.     

4 Is functional dyspepsia largely explained by gastro-oesophageal reflux disease?

Functional dyspepsia is a chronic disorder of unknown aetiology. The lack of endoscopic abnormalities in patients with this disorder has led many physicians to believe that gastrooesophageal reflux disease may be responsible for most symptoms. Our group has addressed this issue, by pathophysiological studies in a large cohort of Dundee patients with persistent dyspeptic symptoms. Peptic ulcer and gallstones were excluded in all patients by appropriate tests. Ambulatory pH monitoring showed oesophageal acid reflux that lay above the conventional diagnostic threshold in approximately 20% of patients. This subset was diagnosed as having gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.In the remainder, moderate or severe reflux-like symptoms were reported by approximately 44% patients, who were categorized as reflux-like functional dyspepsia. Reflux symptoms were mild or absent in 36% patients, who were categorized as non-reflux-like dyspepsia. While oesophageal pH profiles lay within the conventional normal range in both of these functional dyspepsia subgroups, patients with reflux-like functional dyspepsia had significantly greater acid exposure values, including total oesophageal acid exposure time, percentage time at a pH of less than 4.0, DeMeester scores and pain reflux event correlation. Hence patients with reflux-like functional dyspepsia have oesophageal acid exposure that lies below the diagnostic threshold for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease but exceeds that of patients with non-reflux dyspepsia. The high pain/reflux event correlation in reflux-like functional dyspepsia suggests that subthreshold oesophageal acid exposure may be associated with troublesome reflux symptoms.     

Gas-related symptoms after laparoscopic 360° Nissen or 270° Toupet fundoplication in gastrooesophageal reflux disease patients with aerophagia as comorbidity

BACKGROUND: Aerophagia is a rare but well-known comorbidity in patients with gastrooesophageal reflux disease. Particularly after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, it has proven to result in worse symptomatic outcome and a lower postoperative quality of life in comparison to patients without preoperative gas-related symptoms. AIMS: Aim of the study was to compare the postoperative outcome in gastrooesophageal reflux disease patients with aerophagia as comorbidity after either laparoscopic 360 degrees 'floppy' Nissen fundoplication or 270 degrees Toupet fundoplication with main focus on the frequency and subjective impairment of gas-related symptoms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 56 gastrooesophageal reflux disease patients, the comorbidity of aerophagia was diagnosed prior to laparoscopic antireflux surgery. Irrespective of their preoperative manometric findings, the patients were either scheduled to a laparoscopic 360 degrees 'floppy' Nissen (n=28) or a laparoscopic 270 degrees Toupet fundoplication (n=28). All patients have been analysed concerning the presence of gas-related symptoms preoperatively as well as 3 months after surgery. Additionally, the subjective degree of impairment was evaluated using a numerous rating scale (0=no perception/impairment, 100=most severe perception/impairment). The following symptoms have been analysed: ability/inability to belch, 'gas bloat', flatulence, postprandial fullness and epigastric pain. RESULTS: Before surgery, there were no significant differences between both surgical groups. Three months after surgery, significant differences (p<0.05-0.01) were found: patients who underwent a laparoscopic 270 degrees Toupet fundoplication suffered from less impairing gas bloat, flatulence and postprandial fullness when compared with patients with a 360 degrees 'floppy' Nissen fundoplication. The majority of these patients were able to belch postoperatively but felt no impairment due to this symptom. In contrast, patients of the Nissen group felt a significant impairment due to the inability to belch. CONCLUSION: Gas-related symptoms are very common in gastrooesophageal reflux disease patients with aerophagia as a comorbidity. Patients who undergo a laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication show less impairment in relation to gas-related problems compared with patients treated with a Nissen fundoplication for a follow-up period of at least 3 months. In the Toupet group, the ability to belch postoperatively seems to be a positive aspect from the patients' view which also improves the percentage of gas-related problems. However, long-term results are necessary.     

Patients with Throat Symptoms on Acid Suppressive Therapy: Do They Have Reflux?

Purpose The aim of this study was to characterize the reflux events in patients with laryngeal symptoms unresponsive to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. Background Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is commonly implicated as the cause of laryngeal symptoms. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the pH/impedance records of 21 patients evaluated for persistent throat symptoms despite PPI therapy. They were compared to 30 others with typical reflux symptoms despite medication. Results Five of 21 (24%) patients in the “throat group” had normal reflux values, 13 (62%) continued to have abnormal acid reflux, and three (14%) had abnormal nonacid reflux but normal acid reflux while on medication. These results did not differ from those with typical symptoms unresponsive to medication. Conclusion In patients with chronic laryngeal symptoms despite PPI therapy, a substantial minority have no reflux at all, but the majority have abnormal amounts of acid reflux despite their taking PPI medication.     

Efficacy of low-dose lansoprazole in the treatment of non-erosive gastrooesophageal reflux disease. Influence of infection by Helicobacter pylori.

INTRODUCTION: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most effective drugs to cure peptic esophagitis and control the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In most patients with GERD esophagitis is not detected by endoscopy, which represents GERD with a negative endoscopy or non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). The influence of infection by H. pylori in the evolution of GERD is controversial since a protective action is identified by some studies, but not all. We conducted a clinical trial to assess the efficacy of lansoprazole 15 mg/day in the initial control of NERD symptoms, and as a secondary endpoint the impact of H. pylori infection on response to treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A pilot, single-center clinical trial was conducted--single-blind regarding the experimental medication (unknown to patients), and double-blind regarding the information concerning H. pylori infection. Sixty (60) patients with NERD were initially included, who had suffered from daytime or nocturnal heartburn for 1-2 days in each of the last two weeks. Nine patients were excluded for failing to comply with the study protocol. The 51 remaining patients, 35 women and 16 men, with a mean age of 49 years, comprised the per protocol analysis population. Patients received treatment for two weeks with a capsule of the study medication (15 mg/day of lansoprazole), with daily controls on the presence and severity of daytime and nocturnal heartburn. Treatment was considered effective when, upon completion, patients referred a maximum of one episode of mild heartburn as defined in the protocol, or answered the following question in the affirmative: "Does the medication you are receiving satisfactorily control the symptoms of your disease?". During diagnostic endoscopy we obtained biopsies of the gastric body and antrum to investigate infection by H. pylori by means of a urease test. Treatment efficacy was assessed with no patients or doctors responsible for the study being aware of urease test results. RESULTS: 41 patients (80.3%) reported that treatment had satisfactorily controlled their symptoms, and 34 patients (66.6%) had a maximum of one episode of mild heartburn in the last week. Forty-two (42) patients (82.3%) had infection by H. pylori. No significant differences were observed in the response to treatment between patients with or without H. pylori infection. CONCLUSIONS: With the limitations of a pilot study, these results suggest that lansoprazole 15 mg/day is an effective treatment in the control of NERD symptoms, that it may be a good initial therapeutic strategy, and that, according to data available, H. pylori infection has no significant effect on the response to treatment.     

Improvement of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms after radiofrequency energy: a randomized,sham-controlled trial

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a prevalent disorder that often requires long-term medical therapy or surgery. The United States Food and Drug Administration recently cleared new endoluminal gastroesophageal reflux disease treatments; however, no controlled trials exist. METHODS: We randomly assigned 64 gastroesophageal reflux disease patients to radiofrequency energy delivery to the gastroesophageal junction (35 patients) or to a sham procedure (29 patients). Principal outcomes were reflux symptoms and quality of life. Secondary outcomes were medication use and esophageal acid exposure. After 6 months, interested sham patients crossed over to active treatment. RESULTS: At 6 months, active treatment significantly and substantially improved patients' heartburn symptoms and quality of life. More active vs. sham patients were without daily heartburn symptoms (n = 19 [61%] vs. n = 7 [33%]; P = 0.05), and more had a >50% improvement in their gastroesophageal reflux disease quality of life score (n = 19 [61%] vs. n = 6 [30%]; P = 0.03). Symptom improvements persisted at 12 months after treatment. At 6 months, there were no differences in daily medication use after a medication withdrawal protocol (n = 17 [55%] vs. n = 14 [61%]; P = 0.67) or in esophageal acid exposure times. There were no perforations or deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency energy delivery significantly improved gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms and quality of life compared with a sham procedure, but it did not decrease esophageal acid exposure or medication use at 6 months. This procedure represents a new option for selected symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease patients who are intolerant of, or desire an alternative to, traditional medical therapies.     

Ineffective motility is not a marker for gastroesophageal reflux disease

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have suggested that ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) may be a marker for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), particularly supraesophageal reflux disease. We evaluated the relationship between esophageal acid exposure and esophageal body motility in patients undergoing both esophageal manometry and 24-h pH metry in the absence of antisecretory therapy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective database review of 84 patients (mean age 47 yr, 46% male) evaluated in our GI physiology laboratory. The indication for testing was recorded and characterized as esophageal or supraesophageal. Abnormal esophageal acid exposure was defined as a distal esophageal pH <4 for more than 4.2% of the total monitoring time (>6.3% upright, >1.2% supine) or a proximal esophageal acid exposure time of greater than 1.1% total (>1.3% upright, 0% supine). IEM was defined as more than two of 10 ineffective peristaltic waves. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients had esophageal-presenting symptoms, and 12 had supraesophageal symptoms. The prevalence of abnormal esophageal acid exposure was similar in patients with esophageal and supraesophageal symptoms (69% vs 92%, p = 0.17). Abnormal motility was identified in 26 patients (31%). IEM was the most common motility disturbance (77%, 20 patients). The frequency of motility disorders was similar in patients with and without abnormal esophageal acid exposure (30% vs 35%, p = 0.79), in patients with esophageal or supraesophageal symptoms (32% vs 25%, p = 0.75, for all patients; 30% vs 27%, p = 1.00, for patients with abnormal esophageal acid exposure), and among upright, supine, and combined refluxers (33%, 9%, and 35%, p = 0.26).CONCLUSIONS: IEM does not stand alone as a significant marker for the presence of GERD in general or supraesophageal reflux disease in particular.