The benefits of combination therapy with esomeprazole and rebamipide in symptom improvement in reflux esophagitis: An international multicenter study

• Main Authors: Su Jin Hong, Soo Heon Park, Jeong Seop Moon, Woon Geon Shin, Jae Gyu Kim, Yong Chan Lee, Dong Ho Lee, Jae Young Jang, Jae J. Kim, Hang Lak Lee, Sang Woo Lee, Young Hwangbo, Jianming Xu, Bangmao Wang, Zhanxiong Xue, Fei Liu, Yaozong Yuan, Somchai Leelakusolvong, Frederick Dy
• Other Authors: Soonchunhyang University, College of Medicine
• Format: Article
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Medicine
• Online Access: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/41079
• Institution: Mahidol University

Background/Aims: To investigate the effects of esomeprazole and rebamipide combination therapy on symptomatic improvement in patients with reflux esophagitis. Methods: A total of 501 patients with reflux esophagitis were randomized into one of the following two treatment regimens: 40 mg esomeprazole plus 300 mg rebamipide daily (combination therapy group) or 40 mg esomeprazole daily (monotherapy group). We used a symptom questionnaire that evaluated heartburn, acid regurgitation, and four upper gastrointestinal symptoms. The primary efficacy end point was the mean decrease in the total symptom score. Results: The mean decreases in the total symptom score at 4 weeks were estimated to be -18.1±13.8 in the combination therapy group and -15.1±11.9 in the monotherapy group (p=0.011). Changes in reflux symptoms from baseline after 4 weeks of treatment were -8.4±6.6 in the combination therapy group and -6.8±5.9 in the monotherapy group (p=0.009). Conclusions: Over a 4-week treatment course, esomeprazole and rebamipide combination therapy was more effective in decreasing the symptoms of reflux esophagitis than esomeprazole monotherapy.