Clinical trial: the effects of the proton pump inhibitor dexlansoprazole MR on daytime and nighttime heartburn in patients with non-erosive reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: The proportion of patients who respond to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy is about 20% lower in those with non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) than in those with erosive oesophagitis.

AIM: To assess efficacy and safety of dexlansoprazole MR, a PPI using Dual Delayed Release technology, in NERD patients.

METHODS: In this 4-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 947 NERD patients randomly received dexlansoprazole MR 30 mg, 60 mg or placebo once daily (QD). The percentages of 24-h heartburn-free days (primary) and nights without heartburn (secondary) were assessed from patients' daily diaries. Investigators also assessed symptoms. Patients completed validated quality of life and symptom severity questionnaires.

RESULTS: Dexlansoprazole MR provided significantly greater median percentages of 24-h heartburn-free days (54.9% and 50.0% for the 30- and 60-mg doses vs. 17.5% for placebo, P < 0.00001) and nights without heartburn (80.8% and 76.9% vs. 51.7%, P < 0.00001 vs. placebo). Dexlansoprazole MR also reduced symptom severity. Quality of life improvements in patients receiving dexlansoprazole MR were consistent with clinical efficacy endpoints. Percentages of patients experiencing treatment-emergent adverse events were similar among groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Dexlansoprazole MR 30 and 60 mg were superior to placebo in providing 24-h heartburn-free days and nights in NERD patients. Treatment was well tolerated.