Esomeprazole And Symptomatic Response In Patients With Or Without An Elevated Risk For Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)-Associated GI Damage

SYNCHRONISE: Esomeprazole 20 mg Once Daily for Relief of Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms Associated With Continuous Use of NSAIDs Including COX-2 Selective NSAIDs in Dutch General Practice: The Influence of Risk-Factors for NSAID-Associated GI Damage on Sympton Response

The purpose of this study is to compare the treatment effect in patients with upper gastro-intestinal complaints with an elevated risk for NSAID-associated GI-damage to those without an elevated risk for NSAID-associated damage (as determined by the treating physician).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient with upper gastro-intestinal complaints (defined as heartburn and/or regurgitation and/or nausea and/or bloated feeling)and treatment with esomeprazole 20mg once daily is started because of this (consult 1). Upper gastro-intestinal complaints are thought to be related to NSAID use

• Patient is using an NSAID** with the following conditions:

  • NSAID use has started at least one week before 1st consultation and is expected to be continued unchanged during the coming period (at least until consult 2)
  • NSAID is taken at least 3 days a week

(**)OTC or Prescription NSAID

(**)Conventional NSAID or COX-2 selective NSAID

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of a PPI and/or H2RA in the month preceding the study
• A history of reflux disease, not related to NSAID use