An update on the available treatments for non-erosive reflux disease

TY - JOUR

T1 - An update on the available treatments for non-erosive reflux disease

AU - Labenz, Joachim

AU - Morgner-Miehlke, Andrea

PY - 2006/1

Y1 - 2006/1

N2 - Non-erosive reflux disease is defined as the presence of troublesome reflux symptoms, such as heartburn and regurgitation, in the absence of endoscopically-visible damage of the oesophageal mucosa. In comparison with erosive oesophagitis, non-erosive reflux disease is the most common clinical manifestation of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Pathophysiologically, it is not a homogeneous disease as only approximately two-thirds of patients have truly acid-related symptoms. This explains the fact that patients with non-erosive reflux disease consistently show a poorer response to proton pump inhibitor treatment than patients with erosive oesophagitis. Nevertheless, profound acid inhibition by proton pump inhibitors is the recommended first-line treatment in patients suffering from this condition, both in the initial phase and for long-term care. Non-responders to proton pump inhibitor therapy should be subjected to a thorough examination and treated on an individual basis. Emerging data on the long-term course of reflux disease under routine clinical care have led to the adoption of new therapeutic strategies that would have been unthinkable only a few years ago.

AB - Non-erosive reflux disease is defined as the presence of troublesome reflux symptoms, such as heartburn and regurgitation, in the absence of endoscopically-visible damage of the oesophageal mucosa. In comparison with erosive oesophagitis, non-erosive reflux disease is the most common clinical manifestation of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Pathophysiologically, it is not a homogeneous disease as only approximately two-thirds of patients have truly acid-related symptoms. This explains the fact that patients with non-erosive reflux disease consistently show a poorer response to proton pump inhibitor treatment than patients with erosive oesophagitis. Nevertheless, profound acid inhibition by proton pump inhibitors is the recommended first-line treatment in patients suffering from this condition, both in the initial phase and for long-term care. Non-responders to proton pump inhibitor therapy should be subjected to a thorough examination and treated on an individual basis. Emerging data on the long-term course of reflux disease under routine clinical care have led to the adoption of new therapeutic strategies that would have been unthinkable only a few years ago.

KW - Gastroesophageal Reflux

KW - Heartburn

KW - Histamine H2 Antagonists

KW - Humans

KW - Proton Pump Inhibitors

KW - Proton Pumps

KW - Journal Article

KW - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

KW - Review

U2 - 10.1517/14656566.7.1.47

DO - 10.1517/14656566.7.1.47

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 16370921

VL - 7

SP - 47

EP - 56

JO - EXPERT OPIN PHARMACO

JF - EXPERT OPIN PHARMACO

SN - 1465-6566

IS - 1

ER -