Study Using Esomeprazole as a Diagnostic Test for GERD in Patients With NCCP

Summary

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), with its cardinal symptom, heartburn, is the most common disorder of the esophagus in the West. Comparatively, GERD is less common in Singapore but its frequency in the population is increasing. Although the vast majority of patients with GERD have heartburn and acid regurgitation, GERD can present in atypical ways, including as a non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP). We have previously shown that GERD is a common cause of NCCP in Singapore. Up to 40% of our patients with NCCP had endoscopic esophagitis, abnormal 24-hour pH monitoring results, and/or a positive acid perfusion test. These tests, although diagnostic, are costly, labour intensive, and not always readily available in the primary care setting. A trial of high-dose proton pump inhibitor (e.g. omeprazole 60 mg daily) has been proposed as a simple, safe, non-invasive and reliable means to diagnose GERD in Western patients with NCCP. We have not used the test routinely in our practice. This study will evaluate the use of a short course of esomeprazole, the S-isomer of omeprazole, as a diagnostic test for detecting GERD in patients with NCCP. The hypothesis is that in NCCP patients with GERD, esomeprazole will resolve their symptoms. Consecutive patients diagnosed with NCCP at the National University Hospital, Singapore, will be invited to participate in the study. Eligible patients will be randomly assigned to receive either esomeprazole (40 mg o d) for 14 days, or comparable dose of placebo at a similar schedule for 14 days, in a double-blinded fashion. At the start of the study, all subjects will complete a baseline symptom assessment. Symptoms will be scored on a graded scale based on severity. During the study weeks, each patient will record his/her own daily symptoms. The patient will be assessed again after the 14-day treatment. The primary outcome measure will be the change in symptom score after initiation of treatment.

Timeline

Start

2006-05

Primary completion

2009-12

Completion

2009-12

Publications

• Background Ho KY. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is uncommon in Asia: evidence and possible explanations. World J Gastroenterol. 1999 Feb;5(1):4-6. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v5.i1.4. No abstract available.
• Background Lim LG, Ho KY. Gastroesophageal reflux disease at the turn of millennium. World J Gastroenterol. 2003 Oct;9(10):2135-6. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i10.2135.
• Background Ho KY. Gastroesophageal reflux disease in Asia: a condition in evolution. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 May;23(5):716-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2008.05380.x.
• Background Ho KY, Gwee KA, Khor JL, Selamat DS, Yeoh KG. Validation of a graded response questionnaire for the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease in an Asian primary care population. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2008 Jul;42(6):680-6. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0b013e3180653613.
• Background Ho KY, Cheung TK, Wong BC. Gastroesophageal reflux disease in Asian countries: disorder of nature or nurture? J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006 Sep;21(9):1362-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2006.04341.x.
• Background Lim SL, Goh WT, Lee JM, Ng TP, Ho KY; Community Medicine GI Study Group. Changing prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux with changing time: longitudinal study in an Asian population. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005 Jul;20(7):995-1001. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2005.03887.x.
• Background Ho KY, Kang JY, Yeo B, Ng WL. Non-cardiac, non-oesophageal chest pain: the relevance of psychological factors. Gut. 1998 Jul;43(1):105-10. doi: 10.1136/gut.43.1.105.
• Background Ho KY, Kang JY, Seow A. Prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in a multiracial Asian population, with particular reference to reflux-type symptoms. Am J Gastroenterol. 1998 Oct;93(10):1816-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.1998.00526.x.
• Background Ho KY, Kang JY, Seow A. Patterns of consultation and treatment for heartburn: findings from a Singaporean community survey. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1999 Aug;13(8):1029-33. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.1999.00571.x.
• Background Ho KY, Kang JY. Reflux esophagitis patients in Singapore have motor and acid exposure abnormalities similar to patients in the Western hemisphere. Am J Gastroenterol. 1999 May;94(5):1186-91. doi: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.1999.01063.x.

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