Comparative study of Riflux Forte and Riflux in cases of reflux oesophagitis

In an open, randomised, comparative study of 68 endoscopically proven cases of reflux oesophagitis, one antacid with relatively high acid-neutralising capacity (Riflux Forte) and another with lower acid-neutralising capacity (Riflux) were compared. Except for a relatively higher number of cases of severe oesophagitis in the Riflux Forte group (31 vs 19), the patient populations were homogeneous. A consistent trend of rapid and increased diminution in severity of symptoms was seen with both Riflux and Riflux Forte. Although differences between the two groups were not statistically significant, the trend towards a better response was reflected in symptomatic improvement (score difference 14.2 vs 12.0 between one and eight weeks), percentage improvement (93.0 vs 83.7), global assessment (2.9 vs 2.7) and oesophagitis grading on endoscopic assessment (2.5 vs 1.9). These data indicate that, while Riflux and Riflux Forte will produce equivalent results in cases of mild to moderate reflux oesophagitis, the additional acid-neutralising capacity of Riflux Forte provides it with the potential to be more useful in severe cases.