Symptom Control Satisfaction With Proton Pump Inhibitor Regimen

Prospective Study Assessing Patient Satisfaction of Symptom Control With Proton Pump Inhibitor Dosing Regimen

The overall aim of this study is to assess if patients with persistent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms receiving sub-optimal omeprazole dosing experience improvement in GERD symptoms when prescribed an optimal dosing regimen. The optimal dosing regimen is defined as taking omeprazole 30 minutes prior to the first meal of the day.

GERD remains a common gastrointestinal complaint, resulting in 6% of outpatient visits. The economic burden is significant with direct costs exceeding $12 billion/year and indirect cost as high as $75 billion/year. The primary aim of this study was determine whether a brief educational intervention optimizing proton pump inhibitor (PPI) dosing would reduce GERD symptoms using the gastroesophageal reflux disease symptom assessment scale (GSAS) questionnaire. Further, secondary analysis would utilize the results of the trial and combine them with costs related to uncontrolled GERD to estimated the potential economic impact.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ≥ 18 years old
• taking omeprazole 20 mg
• episodic heartburn at least 3 times per week
• provides consent and be willing to complete study questionnaires
• read, speak and write English

Exclusion Criteria:

• weight loss (alarm symptom)
• normal esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in last one year
• pregnant or women planning on becoming pregnant at any time during the study
• history of Barrett's esophagus
• prior esophageal strictures
• intolerance/allergy to study medications
• patients on plavix or a history of upper gastrointestinal surgery
• investigators or their immediate family (spouse, children, sibling)