Treatment of non-erosive reflux disease with a proton pump inhibitor in Chinese patients: a randomized controlled trial

J Gastroenterol. 2011 Jul;46(7):906-12. doi: 10.1007/s00535-011-0402-1. Epub 2011 May 3.

Abstract

Background: Evidence suggests that rates of gastroesophageal reflux disease are increasing in the Asia-Pacific region, where patients tend to have predominantly non-erosive reflux disease as opposed to erosive (reflux) esophagitis. At present, data for the responsiveness of non-erosive reflux disease to proton pump inhibition are scant. We aimed to study esomeprazole for the treatment of non-erosive reflux disease in Chinese patients.

Methods: Patients with a clinical diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux, and a locally validated reflux index, the Chinese GerdQ, of equal to or greater than 12 were recruited and randomized to receive esomeprazole 20 mg daily or placebo for 8 weeks. Reflux index scores, quality of life (SF-36), and the hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) scale and symptom relief were evaluated before, during, and after treatment.

Results: A total of 175 patients were randomized. Patients in the esomeprazole group (n = 85) demonstrated statistically significant reductions in their GerdQ index, from 19.45 to 15.37 and to 14.32 (p = 0.013, p = 0.005) at weeks 4 and 8, respectively. Compared to placebo at week 8, 57.1% of patients on esomeprazole found that their symptoms had resolved or were acceptable compared with 37.2% in the placebo group (p = 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in overall quality-of-life measures or the HAD scale related to treatment.

Conclusions: This study suggests that esomeprazole is efficacious in treating Chinese patients with non-erosive reflux disease.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anxiety
  • China
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Esomeprazole / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / drug therapy*
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / psychology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Quality of Life
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Proton Pump Inhibitors
  • Esomeprazole