Inclusion-rate does not seem feasible anymore to obtain te required number of patients before the end of the trial.

The aim of the study is to compare two different endpoint measures: heartburn as assessed by the physicians versus gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-related symptoms as assessed by the patient using the ReQuest™ questionnaire. The assessment is made in GERD-patients treated with a daily dose of 40 mg oral pantoprazole over an 8-week period.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Written informed consent
• Outpatients of at least 18 years of age
• History of GERD-related symptoms of at least 6 months prior to baseline visit
• Endoscopically-confirmed GERD or non-erosive GERD

Exclusion Criteria:

• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or other gastric hypersecretory condition
• Acute peptic ulcer and/or ulcer complications
• Pyloric stenosis
• Severe or unstable cardiovascular, pulmonary, and/or endocrine disease
• Pregnancy, breast feeding, intention to become pregnant during the course of the study or lack of reliable contraception in women of child-bearing potential
• Intake of any medication for the purpose of eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) within the last 28 days prior to study start
• Intake of systemic glucocorticoids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors for more than 3 consecutive days within the last 28 days prior to study start; with the exception of acetylsalicylic acid not more than 150 mg per day