Acid-suppressive effect of rabeprazole 5 mg and 10 mg once daily by 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring in patients with non-erosive reflux disease in Japan: a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, double-blind pharmacodynamic study

Rabeprazole for the treatment of acid-related disorders

Proton pump inhibitors are widely used for the treatment of acid-related disorders. Rabeprazole is a potent and irreversible inhibitor of H(+)/K(+)-ATPase gastric pump, and it is indicated for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, Zollinger Ellison syndrome, duodenal and gastric ulcers and for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori in combination with antibiotics. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data show that rabeprazole achieves a pronounced acid suppression from the first administration that is maintained with repeated use; this may translate into faster onset of symptom relief for patients, particularly suitable when the indication is for the on-demand long-term maintenance of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Due to its predominantly nonenzymatic metabolism, rabeprazole has a lower potential for drug-drug interactions. The objective of this article is to update efficacy and safety data of rabeprazole in the treatment of acid-related disorders, following a previous review dated 2008.

Predicting the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors in patients with non-erosive reflux disease before therapy using dual-channel 24-h esophageal pH monitoring

BACKGROUND AND AIM

We aimed to determine whether reflux- and symptom-related parameters can predict the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in non-erosive reflux disease (NERD).

METHODS

Twenty-seven NERD patients who had experienced heartburn more than once a week within the previous month were enrolled. Intraesophageal pH before therapy was measured simultaneously at 5 and 15 cm above the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) for 24 h. The PPI rabeprazole was administered at a dose of 10 mg once daily for 4 weeks. In the event that heartburn was not relieved, the dose was increased to 10 mg twice daily for an additional 2 weeks, and again to 20 mg twice daily for another 2 weeks.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis demonstrated no significant associations between any reflux- or symptom-related parameters at either site and complete heartburn relief after 4 weeks, or cumulative complete heartburn relief after 8 weeks. However, post-hoc analysis demonstrated more satisfactory heartburn relief after 4 weeks in patients with a high symptom index compared with those with a low symptom index, at 5 cm above the EGJ (P = 0.009). Cumulative satisfactory heartburn relief after 8 weeks was also greater in patients with a high total number of acid reflux episodes compared with those with a low total number of episodes, at 15 cm above the EGJ (P = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-therapeutic pH monitoring in the lower and mid-esophagus is useful for predicting the efficacy of PPI in NERD patients.