Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Refractory to Proton Pump Inhibitors and the Effects of Switching to 20 mg Esomeprazole on Reflux Symptoms and Quality of Life

Source of support: Departmental sources Background: Refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may deteriorate patient quality of life (QOL) despite proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. Material/Methods: Nineteen Japanese institutions were surveyed to determine the clinical characteristics and QOL of patients with refractory GERD. Those patients treated with a conventional PPI were switched to 20 mg esomeprazole for 4 weeks. Symptoms and QOL were assessed using Global Overall Symptom and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) questionnaires at baseline and at 2 and/or 4 weeks of esomeprazole treatment. Results: Of 120 patients who completed the survey, 58 (48.3%) had refractory GERD. Of these, 69.0 % were aged 65 years, 79.3 % were prescribed a PPI at a standard or high dose, and 22.4 % were prescribed a PPI together with another drug. After switching to esomeprazole, patients reported significant improvements in heartburn, acid regurgitation, and excessive belching at 2 weeks using a symptom diary, as well as the total score, reflux, ab-dominal pain, and indigestion, which were assessed using the GSRS at 4 weeks. Conclusions: About half of Japanese patients with GERD may be refractory to conventional PPIs. Their reflux-related symp-toms are often severe and may impair QOL. Switching to esomeprazole could be used to improve their symp