Related Experiment Videos
Cimetidine improves GERD symptoms in patients selected by a validated GERD questionnaire
F Johnsson1, Y Roth, N E Damgaard Pedersen
1University of Lund, Sweden.
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
|February 1, 1993
Summary
A validated questionnaire accurately identifies patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Cimetidine treatment significantly improved GERD symptoms compared to placebo in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) diagnosis can be improved with accurate symptom assessment.
- A validated questionnaire aids in identifying patients with probable GERD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate a questionnaire for GERD symptom assessment.
- To evaluate the efficacy of cimetidine in treating GERD patients identified by the questionnaire.
Main Methods:
- A four-question GERD questionnaire was developed and validated.
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 251 patients with probable GERD.
- Patients received either cimetidine (400 mg b.d.) or placebo for 2 weeks, with symptom tracking via diary cards.
Main Results:
- The GERD questionnaire identified patients with a high likelihood (85%) of erosive esophagitis or pathological reflux.
- Cimetidine significantly increased symptom-free days compared to placebo.
- Cimetidine reduced the median number of daily GERD symptom episodes.
Conclusions:
- The validated GERD questionnaire is effective for identifying patients with probable GERD.
- Cimetidine (400 mg b.d.) is an effective treatment for improving GERD symptoms in patients identified by this questionnaire.