Double blind, randomised, placebo controlled study of four weeks of lansoprazole for the treatment of functional dyspepsia in Chinese patients

Tegaserod treatment for dysmotility-like functional dyspepsia: results of two randomized, controlled trials

OBJECTIVES

Therapies for dysmotility-like functional dyspepsia (FD) are limited. We studied tegaserod, a selective serotonin type 4 receptor agonist, in patients with FD.

METHODS

Two identical multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials enrolled women >/=18 yr with recurring mid-upper abdominal discomfort characterized by postprandial fullness, early satiety, and/or bloating. Patients were randomized to tegaserod 6 mg b.i.d. or placebo. Two patient-reported primary variables were assessed: percentage of days with satisfactory symptom relief, and symptom severity using the composite average daily severity score (CADSS).

RESULTS

In total, 2,667 women were randomized with no differences between trials in terms of recruitment method, Helicobacter pylori status, heartburn, or medication use. Mean percentage of days with satisfactory symptom relief for tegaserod versus placebo in Trial 1: 32.2%versus 26.6% (95% CI of treatment difference 2.82, 9.27; P < 0.01), Trial 2: 31.9%versus 29.4% (95% CI of treatment difference -0.21, 6.53; P= 0.066). Mean CADSS in Trial 1: 3.14 versus 3.35 (95% CI of treatment difference -0.29, -0.10; P < 0.0001), Trial 2: 3.15 versus 3.23 (95% CI of treatment difference -0.18, 0.01; P= 0.094). Meta-analysis showed significant benefit for both end points: increase in days with satisfactory relief 4.6% (95% CI 2.29, 6.96); decrease in CADSS 0.14 (95% CI 0.21, 0.07). Treatment effect was greater in patients with severe baseline symptoms. Diarrhea requiring study discontinuation was more common with tegaserod than placebo (4.1%vs 0.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Some improvement in dysmotility-like FD was observed with tegaserod treatment. The clinical implication of this improvement is uncertain.

Efficacy and safety of pantoprazole 20 mg once daily treatment in patients with ulcer-like functional dyspepsia

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy of pantoprazole 20 mg once daily (o.d.) in relieving epigastric pain associated with ulcer-like functional dyspepsia.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study, patients experiencing ulcer-like functional dyspepsia, with epigastric pain as the predominant symptom, were randomised to receive pantoprazole 20 mg or placebo o.d. for 28 days. Primary endpoint was the complete relief (i.e. absence) from epigastric pain after 28 days' treatment. The odds ratio (OR) for pantoprazole/placebo and its 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined. Significant superiority of pantoprazole was concluded if the value 1.0 was above this interval.

RESULTS

Of 419 patients (intention-to-treat [ITT]) randomised to treatment, 207 received pantoprazole and 212 received placebo. Epigastric pain relief was achieved after 28 days' treatment in 55% of pantoprazole recipients and 45% of placebo recipients (per-protocol [PP]: 58% and 47%, respectively). Pantoprazole demonstrated statistically significant superiority compared with placebo in the ITT (OR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.46-0.99) and PP populations (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.42-0.98). Pantoprazole was more efficacious than placebo in relieving heartburn and acid regurgitation after 7, 14 and 28 days of treatment. The sum score of gastrointestinal symptoms after 28 days was statistically significantly lower in the pantoprazole than placebo group. Fewer patients receiving concomitant psychotropic medication experienced relief from epigastric pain than those not receiving such medication. Adverse events did not significantly differ between pantoprazole and placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this study suggest that pantoprazole 20 mg is more efficacious than placebo, and is a well-tolerated treatment for relieving epigastric pain in patients with ulcer-like functional dyspepsia. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Clinical trial: a randomized controlled cross-over study of flupenthixol + melitracen in functional dyspepsia

BACKGROUND

Functional dyspepsia is a prevalent condition associated with diminished quality of life (QoL) and high economic burden.

AIM

To study the efficacy of a combination of flupenthixol and melitracen (F + M) with anxiolytic and antidepressant properties in functional dyspepsia using a randomized controlled cross-over design.

METHODS

Patients met the Rome III criteria for functional dyspepsia and a validated questionnaire was used to exclude those with anxiety or depression. Moreover, patients had to have failed a trial of acid-suppressive therapy and Helicobacter pylori eradication when positive. End points included subjective global symptom relief and QoL assessed by the Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI).

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients (14 females, 11 males; mean age = 34.3 +/- 9.9 years) were enrolled and 24 completed the 8-week study. There was a significant improvement in subjective global symptom relief with F + M vs. placebo (ITT: 73.9% vs. 26.1%, P = 0.001) and a significant drop in the NDI score vs. placebo (ITT: -9.0 +/- 11.9 vs. -2.4 +/- 8.9, P = 0.03). No difference was noted whether the initial treatment was F + M or placebo. No significant side effects were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

A combination of F and M is safe and effective in the short-term treatment of functional dyspepsia. F + M is associated with significant improvement in QoL independent of the presence of anxiety or depression.

In-practice predictors of response to proton pump inhibitor therapy in primary care patients with dyspepsia in an Asian population

BACKGROUND

Data on Asian patients who present to primary care physicians with dyspepsia are limited.

AIM

To determine predictors of response to a trial of proton pump inhibitor therapy.

METHOD

One hundred ninety patients presenting to their general practitioners with dyspeptic symptoms but without alarm symptoms, underwent endoscopy and were subsequently treated with 20 mg of esomeprazole twice a day for 2 weeks. Possible predictors of response were assessed before treatment. Dyspeptic symptoms were scored at baseline and at the end of treatment. Excellent response and poor response were defined as end of treatment score of <or=1 and failure to achieve >or=50% reduction in symptom scores.

RESULTS

On bivariate analysis male sex and having <or=2 concurrent dyspeptic symptoms predicted excellent response, whereas bloating as most bothersome symptom, >2 dyspeptic symptoms, anxiety, and irritable bowel syndrome predicted poor response. On multivariate analysis, male sex and <or=2 dyspeptic symptoms, and bloating remained significant predictors of excellent and poor responses, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Predictors of response to proton pump inhibitor trial that could be easily assessed in a primary care clinic were identified. In our population the response was not as favorable as suggested by clinical trials. Frequent overlap with irritable bowel syndrome seems to be an important factor.

Functional dyspepsia: mechanisms of symptom generation and appropriate management of patients

With the exception of predominant heartburn, the management of upper abdominal symptoms not caused by an organic disorder remains a challenge. Systematic reviews of large trials show that suppressing acid secretion and eradicating Helicobacter pylori, prokinetics, and antidepressants have inconsistent effects on the treatment of functional dyspepsia. This inconsistent therapeutic efficacy has been attributed to the heterogeneity of patients, and the contribution of multiple mechanisms to development of symptoms. To achieve greater therapeutic efficacy, it may be necessary to target the therapeutic approach to a specific pathophysiology, such as impaired gastric emptying.

Initial treatment with lansoprazole in young dyspeptic patients with negative urea breath test result: a randomized controlled trial with 12-month follow-up

INTRODUCTION

Although empirical antisecretory drug therapy is recommended to young dyspeptic patients without alarming features, the effectiveness of this approach remains undetermined. We evaluated the long-term effects of an initial 12-wk course of lansoprazole in young dyspeptic patients without Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.

METHODS

Patients who were less than 45 yr and presented with at least 3 months of dyspepsia in the absence of alarming features were eligible. They were offered (13)C-urea breath test (UBT) to determine H. pylori status and all symptomatic patients with negative UBT were randomized to receive lansoprazole 30 mg daily or placebo for 12 wk. Those who had previous endoscopy or positive UBT were excluded. Primary end point was the proportion of patients with treatment failure, defined as worsening of global dyspeptic symptom, while on study medication. Patients were followed up for 26 wk for global dyspeptic symptom as determined by 7-point Likert scale. Quality-of-life assessment (SF-36), need of endoscopy, and utilization of other health-care services were monitored for 52 wk.

RESULTS

A total of 157 dyspeptic patients were randomized. At the end of 12-wk treatment, the proportion of patients with treatment failure was similar in the lansoprazole (33.3%) and placebo (30.3%) groups (P= 0.74). Patients' global assessment of their dyspeptic symptom was comparable at all time points measured. There was also no significant difference in the SF-36 mental and physical summary scales. At the end of 52 wk, there was no difference in the proportion of patients who underwent endoscopy, had additional medical consultations, or used other nonstudy medications between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Lansoprazole is not effective in the initial management of young dyspeptic patients without H. pylori infection.

Effects of proton-pump inhibitors on functional dyspepsia: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The aim of this study was to assess systematically the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in the treatment of functional dyspepsia compared with placebo and to determine if any difference in the response exists between symptom subgroups of functional dyspepsia.

METHODS

A literature search was performed through September 2005 in PubMed, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases to include randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of PPIs for the treatment of functional dyspepsia. Relative risk (RR) and relative risk reduction (RRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated under a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Seven studies with a total of 3725 patients were identified. PPIs were found to be more effective than placebo for reducing symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia (RRR, 10.3%; 95% CI, 2.7%-17.3%). The estimated number needed to treat is 14.6 (95% CI, 8.7-57.1). When stratified analyses were performed, a significant difference in the efficacy was observed only in patients with ulcer-like (RRR, 12.8%; 95% CI, 7.2%-18.1%) and reflux-like dyspepsia (RRR, 19.7%; 95% CI, 1.8%-34.3%), but not in those with dysmotility-like (RRR, 5.1%; 95% CI, -10.9% to 18.7%) and unspecified dyspepsia (RRR, -8.0%; 95% CI, -23.7% to 5.6%). The effect of H pylori on the efficacy of PPIs remains unclear. Significant heterogeneity among studies was found for the overall analysis, dysmotility-like dyspepsia, H pylori-negative subgroup, and different dose subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

PPIs are more effective than placebo for the management of patients with ulcer-like and reflux-like functional dyspepsia.

Pharmacological interventions for non-ulcer dyspepsia

BACKGROUND

The commonest cause of upper gastrointestinal symptoms is non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) and yet the pathophysiology of this condition has been poorly characterised and the optimum treatment is uncertain. It is estimated that pound450 million is spent on dyspepsia drugs in the UK each year.

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to determine the effectiveness of six classes of drugs (antacids, histamine H(2) antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, prokinetics, mucosal protecting agents and antimuscarinics) in the improvement of either the individual or global dyspepsia symptom scores and also quality of life scores patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 4, 2005), MEDLINE (1966 to January 2006), EMBASE (1988 to January 2006), CINAHL (1982 to January 2006), SIGLE, and reference lists of articles. We also contacted experts in the field and pharmaceutical companies. Trials were located through electronic searches of the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and SIGLE, using appropriate subject headings and text words, searching bibliographies of retrieved articles, and through contacts with experts in the fields of dyspepsia and pharmaceutical companies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing drugs of any of the six groups with each other or with placebo for non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed eligibility, trial quality and extracted data.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 73 trials: prokinetics (19 trials with dichotomous outcomes evaluating 3178 participants; relative risk reduction (RRR) 33%; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 18% to 45%), H(2)RAs (12 trials evaluating 2,183 participants; RRR 23%; 95% CI 8% to 35%) and PPIs (10 trials evaluating 3,347 participants; RRR 13%; 95% CI 4% to 20%) were significantly more effective than placebo. Bismuth salts (six trials evaluating 311 participants; RRR 40%; 95% CI -3 to 65%) were superior to placebo but this was of marginal statistical significance. Antacids (one trial evaluating 109 participants; RRR -2%; 95% CI -36% to 24%) and sucralfate (two trials evaluating 246 participants; RRR 29%; 95% CI -40% to 64%) were not statistically significantly superior to placebo. A funnel plot suggested that the prokinetic results could be due to publication bias or other small study effects.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is evidence that anti-secretory therapy may be effective in NUD. The trials evaluating prokinetic therapy are difficult to interpret as the meta-analysis result could have been due to publication bias. The effect of these drugs is likely to be small and many patients will need to take them on a long-term basis so economic analyses would be helpful and ideally the therapies assessed need to be inexpensive and well tolerated.

Esomeprazole 40 mg once a day in patients with functional dyspepsia: the randomized, placebo-controlled "ENTER" trial

OBJECTIVE

The etiologies of functional dyspepsia (FD) are unclear, but in some studies, treatment with a proton pump inhibitor has been beneficial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of esomeprazole 40 mg once a day compared to placebo in achieving symptom relief in primary care patients with FD.

METHODS

This was a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in adult FD patients, who had at least moderate severity of symptoms, defined as a score of > or =4 on a 7-point Global Overall Symptom (GOS) scale. Patients were excluded if they had predominant symptoms of heartburn or regurgitation; after a normal baseline endoscopy, patients were randomized to esomeprazole 40 mg once daily or placebo for 8 wk. The primary outcome measure was symptom relief (GOS < or =2) at 8 wk.

RESULTS

Of the 502 enrolled patients, 224 were randomized. The main reasons for exclusion were abnormal endoscopic findings, especially esophagitis. A significantly greater proportion of patients in the esomeprazole group achieved symptom relief at 4 but not at 8 wk compared to placebo: 4 wk esomeprazole 50.5% versus placebo 32.2%, p= 0.009; 8 wk esomeprazole 55.1% versus placebo 46.1%, p= 0.16. A similar relationship at 4 and 8 wk was seen for symptom resolution (GOS = 1) and improvement (DeltaGOS > or =2).

CONCLUSION

For the primary outcome measure of symptom relief at 8 wk, there was no statistically significant difference between esomeprazole 40 mg once a day and placebo. However, at 4 wk, esomeprazole was significantly more effective than placebo for symptom relief. The difference in therapeutic gain between 4 and 8 wk was largely due to a higher placebo response rate at 8 wk.

Comparison between empirical prokinetics, Helicobacter test-and-treat and empirical endoscopy in primary-care patients presenting with dyspepsia: A one-year study

AIM: To investigate the optimal strategy to treat dyspeptic patients in primary care.

METHODS: Dyspeptic patients presenting to primary care outpatient clinics were randomly assigned to: (1) empirical endoscopy, (2) H pylori test-and-treat, and (3) empirical prokinetic treatment with cisapride. Early endoscopy was arranged if patients remained symptomatic after 2 wk. Symptom severity, quality-of-life (SF-36) as well as patient preference and satisfaction were assessed. All patients underwent endoscopy by wk 6. Patients were followed up for one year.

RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty four patients were recruited (163 female, mean age 49). 46% were H pylori positive. 26% of H pylori tested and 25% of empirical prokinetic patients showed no improvement at wk 2 follow-up and needed early endoscopy. 15% of patients receiving empirical cisapride responded well to treatment but peptic ulcer was the final diagnosis. Symptom resolution and quality-of-life were similar among the groups. Costs for the three strategies were HK$4343, $1771 and $1750 per patient. 66% of the patients preferred to have early endoscopy.

CONCLUSION: The three strategies are equally effective. Empirical prokinetic treatment was the least expensive but peptic ulcers may be missed with this treatment. The H pylori test-and-treat was the most cost-effective option.

Therapeutic strategies for functional dyspepsia and the introduction of the Rome III classification

Although placebo response rates in clinical trials for functional dyspepsia (FD) are more than 30%, a recent meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showed that antisecretory drugs were more or less superior to placebos. On the other hand, large-scale RCTs on the efficacy of treatment with prokinetics on FD are still needed. Indications for antibiotic eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori-positive FD are still controversial, but there seems to be a small but significant therapeutic gain achieved with H. pylori eradication. Since preprandial and postprandial symptomatic disturbances are very important targets for FD treatment, ghrelin, a novel appetite-promoting gastrointestinal peptide that also promotes gastric motility or basal acid secretion can be expected to be a therapeutic target. In the recently published Rome III classification, FD is redefined for patients with symptoms thought to originate from the gastroduodenal region, specifically epigastric pain or burning, postprandial fullness, or early satiation, and it is divided into the subcategories postprandial distress syndrome and epigastric pain syndrome. These new criteria are of value in clinical practice, for epidemiological, pathophysiological, and clinical research, and for the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Guidelines for the management of dyspepsia

Dyspepsia is a chronic or recurrent pain or discomfort centered in the upper abdomen; patients with predominant or frequent (more than once a week) heartburn or acid regurgitation, should be considered to have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) until proven otherwise. Dyspeptic patients over 55 yr of age, or those with alarm features should undergo prompt esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). In all other patients, there are two approximately equivalent options: (i) test and treat for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) using a validated noninvasive test and a trial of acid suppression if eradication is successful but symptoms do not resolve or (ii) an empiric trial of acid suppression with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for 4-8 wk. The test-and-treat option is preferable in populations with a moderate to high prevalence of H. pylori infection (> or =10%); empirical PPI is an initial option in low prevalence situations. If initial acid suppression fails after 2-4 wk, it is reasonable to consider changing drug class or dosing. If the patient fails to respond or relapses rapidly on stopping antisecretory therapy, then the test-and-treat strategy is best applied before consideration of referral for EGD. Prokinetics are not currently recommended as first-line therapy for uninvestigated dyspepsia. EGD is not mandatory in those who remain symptomatic as the yield is low; the decision to endoscope or not must be based on clinical judgement. In patients who do respond to initial therapy, stop treatment after 4-8 wk; if symptoms recur, another course of the same treatment is justified. The management of functional dyspepsia is challenging when initial antisecretory therapy and H. pylori eradication fails. There are very limited data to support the use of low-dose tricyclic antidepressants or psychological treatments in functional dyspepsia.

Functional dyspepsia pathogenesis and therapeutic options--implications for management

Functional dyspepsia is far more common than dyspepsia due to organic disease, both in the community and general practice. Proposed aetiopathogenic factors include gastric acid, Helicobacter pylori infection, delayed emptying, hypersensitivity or impaired accommodation of the stomach, dysfunction of the duodenum or brain-gut axis, psychosocial morbidity and post-infective mucosal damage. More effective therapy will depend on the development of drugs targeted at these putative pathophysiological mechanisms. On current evidence tricyclic antidepressants appear to be more effective than either acid suppressants or H. pylori eradication.

Analysis of clinical characteristics of dyspeptic symptoms in Shanghai patients

OBJECTIVE

To improve the management of dyspepsia by analyzing the clinical characteristics of dyspeptic symptoms in patients from Shanghai.

METHODS

782 patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) or organic dyspepsia (OD) completed a questionnaire about dyspepsia. The questionnaire asked participants to score 12 previously validated common upper abdominal symptoms. The clinical characteristics of dyspepsia including severe symptoms; and the relationship between symptoms and meals were then analyzed.

RESULTS

Among the 782 dyspeptic patients, 543 cases (69.4%) were classed as FD and 239 (30.6%) OD. The proportion of males was significantly higher in the OD group. There was no difference in average dyspepsia scores between the 2 dyspeptic groups (21.5 vs 20.4, P > 0.05), but the scores of 'stomach' pain and 'stomach' pain before meals were higher in OD patients than in FD patients (2.65 +/- 1.11 vs 2.16 +/- 0.92, 2.26 +/- 1.26 vs 1.79 +/- 0.92, P < 0.05). In 45.2% of the OD patients and 47.7% of the FD patients, respectively, the severity of symptoms was not related to meals. In subgroups of ulcer-like, dysmotility-like and unspecified dyspepsia, the proportion of patients with symptoms not related to meals was 59.6%, 50.9% and 35.2%, respectively. 2.5% (6/239) of OD patients presented with progressive dysphagia, compared with 2.8% (15/543) of FD patients who presented with intermittent dysphagia. Approximately 8.8% (21/239) of OD patients reported dramatic weight loss accompanied with other severe symptoms, compared with 5.9% (32/543) of FD patients who had no other severe symptoms. A shift in symptom subtypes during the follow-up period was found in 13.8% of FD patients. The infection rate of Helicobacter pylori was higher in the OD group than in the FD group (53.1%vs 42.2%, P < 0.01), but no difference was found among the three subgroups of FD patients (P > 0.05). Halitosis was more often found in dyspeptic patients with H. pylori infection (44.9%vs 17.0% in OD, 47.3%vs 25.4% in FD, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

When dyspepsia patients present with 'stomach' pain or 'stomach' pain before meals, a diagnosis of OD should be considered. Intermittent dysphagia, weight loss not accompanied with other severe symptoms, and halitosis (more often seen in patients with H. pylori infection) might be regarded as the relatively unique symptoms of dyspepsia in some FD patients. In FD, we found that the severity of dyspepsia symptoms was not related to meals in half of the patients, and symptom subtypes might shift over time, this adds difficulty to the management of FD.

Idiopathic dyspepsia

Idiopathic dyspepsia refers to pain and/or discomfort perceived in the epigastrium that is not secondary to organic, systemic, or metabolic diseases. Symptoms may overlap with those of gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Gastrointestinal motor disorders, hypersensitivity to mechanical or chemical stimuli, and psychosocial factors can act individually or in concert to induce the symptoms of dyspepsia. Accordingly, there is no single therapy, and treatment must be individualized. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection rarely achieves symptom improvement. Treatment of idiopathic dyspepsia should begin by reassuring the patient about the benign nature of the syndrome and educating them on the knowledge that has been achieved in recent years regarding potential causes of the syndrome. Both prokinetic and antisecretory drugs have been reported to improve dyspeptic symptoms, but results are not completely convincing. Although well-designed studies demonstrate superiority of proton pump inhibitors over placebo, it should be noted that patients with nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease were invariably included; when these patients are excluded, the benefit of antisecretory medications is questionable. We suggest that patients with idiopathic dyspepsia be initially treated according to the predominant symptom. Those with epigastric pain/burning should receive a trial with standard doses of proton pump inhibitors for 4 to 8 weeks, whereas prokinetic patients should be prescribed at recommended doses for similar periods of time to patients with nonpainful dyspeptic symptoms such as posprandial fullness, early satiety, nausea, or vomiting. Nonresponders may benefit from combination therapies or short trials with higher doses of drugs. Visceral analgesics and antidepressants can also be prescribed alone or in combinations with other therapeutic strategies. Recent studies demonstrate utility for psychologic therapy and hypnotherapy, although truly controlled studies are difficult in this area. Herbal medicines deserve further evaluation.

The efficacy of proton pump inhibitors in nonulcer dyspepsia: a systematic review and economic analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The evidence that proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy affects symptoms of nonulcer dyspepsia is conflicting. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate whether PPI therapy had any effect in nonulcer dyspepsia and constructed a health economic model to assess the cost-effectiveness of this approach.

METHODS

Electronic searches were performed using the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and SIGLE until September 2002. Dyspepsia outcomes were dichotomized into cured/improved versus same/worse. Results were incorporated into a Markov model comparing health service costs and benefits of PPI with antacid therapy over 1 year.

RESULTS

Eight trials were identified that compared PPI therapy with placebo in 3293 patients. The relative risk of remaining dyspeptic with PPI therapy versus placebo was .86 (95% confidence interval, .78-.95; P = .003, random-effects model) with a number needed to treat of 9 (95% confidence interval, 5-25). There was statistically significant heterogeneity between trials (heterogeneity chi(2) = 30.05; df = 7; P < .001). The PPI strategy would cost an extra US dollar 278/month free from dyspepsia if the drug cost US dollar 90/month. If a generic price of US dollar 19.99 is used, then a PPI strategy costs an extra US dollar 57/month free from dyspepsia. A third-party payer would be 95% certain that PPI therapy would be cost-effective, provided they were willing to pay US dollar 94/month free from dyspepsia.

CONCLUSIONS

PPI therapy may be a cost-effective therapy in nonulcer dyspepsia, provided generic prices are used.

Pharmacological interventions for non-ulcer dyspepsia

BACKGROUND

The commonest cause of upper gastrointestinal symptoms is non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) and yet the pathophysiology of this condition has been poorly characterised and the optimum treatment is uncertain. It is estimated that 450 million pounds is spent on dyspepsia drugs in the UK each year.

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to determine the effectiveness of six classes of drugs (antacids, histamine H2 antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, prokinetics, mucosal protecting agents and antimuscarinics) in the improvement of either the individual or global dyspepsia symptom scores and also quality of life scores patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Trials were located through electronic searches of the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and SIGLE, using appropriate subject headings and text words, searching bibliographies of retrieved articles, and through contacts with experts in the fields of dyspepsia and pharmaceutical companies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing drugs of any of the six groups with each other or with placebo for non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were collected on dyspeptic symptom scores either individual or global symptom assessments and also quality of life scores and adverse effects.

MAIN RESULTS

A total of 11796 citations were obtained. 157 trials were retrieved and 98 trials fulfilled our eligibility criteria. However, subsequent data extraction was not possible in 31 trials. The final 67 trials were included in the meta-analysis. Prokinetics (14 trials with dichotomous outcomes generating 1053 patients; relative risk reduction [RRR] = 48%; 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 27% to 63%), H2RAs (11 trials generating 2,164 patients; RRR = 22%; 95% CI = 7% to 35%) and PPIs (8 trials generating 3,293 patients; RRR = 14%; 95% CI = 5% to 22%) were significantly more effective than placebo. Bismuth salts (6 trials generating 311 patients; RRR = 40%; 95% CI = -3 to 65%) were superior to placebo but this was of marginal statistical significance. Antacids (one trial generating 109 patients; RRR = -2%; 95% CI = -36% to 24%) and sucralfate (two trials generating 246 patients; RRR = 29%; 95% CI = -40% to 64%) were not statistically significantly superior to placebo. A funnel plot suggested that the prokinetic and H2RA results could be due to publication bias.

REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS

There is evidence that anti-secretory therapy may be effective in NUD. The trials evaluating prokinetic therapy are difficult to interpret as the meta-analysis result could have been due to publication bias. The effect of these drugs is likely to be small and many patients will need to take them on a long-term basis so economic analyses would be helpful and ideally the therapies assessed need to be inexpensive and well tolerated.

Identifying response to acid suppressive therapy in functional dyspepsia using a random starting day trial--is gastro-oesophageal reflux important?

BACKGROUND

Single subject trials offer an alternative approach to identify and characterize responders to a specific treatment.

AIM

To test a new single subject trials design, called random starting day trial, to identify acid-related symptoms in dyspepsia.

METHODS

A total of 119 patients with functional dyspepsia entered a 12-day, double-blind random starting day trial. All patients started on placebo and switched to omeprazole 80 mg/day at a randomized and blinded day between day 5 and day 9, with active treatment continuing for the rest of the trial. Based on changes of a daily symptom score, response was defined as a sustained > or =50% reduction of symptoms within 3 days of active treatment.

RESULTS

Thirteen of 119 patients (11%) were classified as spontaneous responders because of complete symptom relief before switching to omeprazole. Of the remaining 106 patients, 15 (15.6%) were classified as responders. Five of six (83%) responders compared with 28 of 53 (53%) non-responders had pathological reflux. Multivariate testing identified symptoms suggestive of gastro-oesophageal reflux predictive of response.

CONCLUSIONS

The random starting day trial design could identify a subset of dyspeptic patients with a uniform symptomatic response to acid-suppressive therapy. Response seems to be associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux. The random starting day trial needs to be further validated to be considered as a reliable instrument in clinical research.

Stool antigen test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection: a systematic review

Our aim was to review systematically the diagnostic accuracy of the Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test. Bibliographical searches were performed in several electronic databases and abstracts from congresses up to May 2003. Eighty-nine studies (10,858 patients) evaluated the stool antigen test in untreated patients. Mean sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 91%, 93%, 92% and 87%, respectively. Analysis of the eight studies (1399 patients) in which pretreatment evaluation of the monoclonal stool antigen test was performed showed better (p < .001) results (96%, 97%, 96% and 97%, respectively), with a clearer distinction between positive and negative results. Thirty-nine studies (3147 patients) evaluated the stool antigen test for the confirmation of H. pylori eradication 4-8 weeks after therapy, with accuracies of 86%, 92%, 76% and 93% for mean sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value, respectively. Results were similar when a gold standard based on at least two methods was used. Relatively low accuracy was reported in some posttreatment studies with the polyclonal stool antigen test. However, excellent results (p < .001) were achieved in all the six studies evaluating the monoclonal stool antigen test 4-8 weeks posttreatment. Results evaluating the stool antigen test < 4 weeks posttreatment are contradictory. Proton-pump inhibitors seem to affect the accuracy of the stool antigen test. Sensitivity and/or specificity in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding may be suboptimal. The stool antigen test performs well in children. Finally, the stool antigen test seems to be a cost-effective method.

Functional dyspepsia: drugs for new (and old) therapeutic targets

The therapeutic management of functional dyspepsia remains a major challenge for the gastroenterologist. Current therapies available are based on putative underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms, including gastric acid sensitivity, slow gastric emptying and Helicobacter pylori infection, but only a small proportion of patients achieve symptomatic benefit from these therapeutic approaches. Relatively novel mechanistic concepts under testing include impaired gastric accomodation, visceral hypersensitivity, and central nervous system dysfunction. Serotonergic modulators (e.g. the 5-HT4 agonist tegaserod, the 5-HT3 antagonist alosetron and the 5-HT1P agonist sumatriptan), CCK-1 antagonists (e.g. dexloxiglumide), opioid agonists (e.g. asimadoline), N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists (e.g dextromethorphan), neurokinin antagonists (e.g. talnetant), capsaicin-like agents and antidepressants are among the agents currently under investigation. It seems unlikely, however, that targeting a single mechanism with an individual drug will result in complete symptom remission in most cases.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) and non-erosive reflux disease (NERD): overlapping or discrete entities?

As the incidence of both gastric cancer and peptic ulcer disease have declined, that of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and non-ulcer, or functional dyspepsia (FD) have reached virtually epidemic proportions. As we come to appreciate the expression of these disorders in the community, the real spectrum of each disease has become evident. FD and non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), the most prevalent manifestation of GORD, frequently overlap. Where then does GORD end and FD begin? Is it realistic, or even clinically relevant, to attempt a clear separation between these entities? These are more than issues of mere semantics; therapeutic options may be dictated by the classification of the patient as one or the other. Recent work indicates clearly that NERD is a heterogeneous disorder incorporating some patients who may well harbour subtle manifestations of oesophagitis and others who have entirely normal 24-hour pH studies. These differences may be crucial to the concept of NERD/FD overlap. While evidence in support of this concept is far from complete, it would appear that this overlap is most relevant to those NERD patients who do not exhibit abnormal esophageal acid exposure. These patients truly belong in the spectrum of functional gastrointestinal disorders rather than in GORD; attempts to shoe-horn these individuals into the spectrum of GORD will result in therapeutic disappointment and surgical disaster.

Lansoprazole in the treatment of functional dyspepsia: two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials

PURPOSE

The efficacy of proton pump inhibitor therapy for symptom resolution in patients with functional dyspepsia remains controversial. This study was designed to compare the efficacy of lansoprazole with placebo in relieving upper abdominal discomfort in patients with functional dyspepsia.

METHODS

We enrolled 921 patients with functional dyspepsia (defined as persistent or recurrent upper abdominal discomfort during the prior 3 months) and moderate upper abdominal discomfort on at least 30% of screening days; none of the patients had predominant symptoms suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux or endoscopic evidence of erosive or ulcerative esophagitis, or gastric or duodenal ulcer or erosion. Patients were assigned randomly to receive lansoprazole 15 mg (n = 305), lansoprazole 30 mg (n = 308), or placebo (n = 308) daily for 8 weeks. Patients recorded the frequency and severity of symptoms in daily diaries.

RESULTS

At week 8, significantly (P <0.001) greater mean reductions in the percentage of days with upper abdominal discomfort were reported in patients treated with lansoprazole 15 mg (35%) or 30 mg (34%) compared with those treated with placebo (19%). Similarly, more patients treated with lansoprazole 15 mg (44%) or 30 mg (44%) reported complete symptom resolution (defined as no episodes of upper abdominal discomfort in the 3 days before the study visit) at 8 weeks than did placebo-treated patients (29%, P <0.001). Improvement of upper abdominal discomfort, however, was seen only in patients who had at least some symptoms of heartburn at enrollment.

CONCLUSION

Lansoprazole, at a daily dose of 15 mg or 30 mg, is significantly better than placebo in reducing symptoms of persistent or recurrent upper abdominal discomfort accompanied by at least some symptoms of heartburn.

Treat the patients' main dyspepsia complaint, not the ROME criteria

This pragmatic, primary care study by Meineche-Schmidt in patients with presumed acid-related uninvestigated dyspepsia showed that a standard dose of omeprazole 20 mg daily was significantly more effective than a placebo in treating their self-worded main dyspepsia complaint. As a higher dose of omeprazole 40 mg daily was not more effective, the standard dose should be used. In this study, 9% of the patients had sole reflux-like symptoms while the rest had other accompanying symptoms and would be considered to have dyspepsia. In fact, patients had on average more than five symptoms. Patients do not know that there is a controversy about whether to call their symptoms GERD or dyspepsia; they just know that they want to feel better. As no initial investigations were made, patients could have a variety of possible diagnoses such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, ulcer disease, or functional dyspepsia. The recent CADET-PE study showed that if patients had endoscopic abnormalities, these were findings such as esophagitis that would be appropriately treated with acid suppression. That study also reconfirmed that symptoms do not predict endoscopic findings and do not make a diagnosis. Thus, the approach suggested in this study to treat patients based on their main symptom complaint is practical and effective.

Functional dyspepsia: motor abnormalities, sensory dysfunction, and therapeutic options

Functional dyspepsia is a common condition, but as yet, the underlying etiology is unclear. In this article, upper gastrointestinal motor and sensory physiology are reviewed and the current evidence for motor and/or sensory functional abnormalities causing dyspeptic symptoms is presented. The complex interrelationship between abnormal motor activity and sensation is explored, as well as the potential roles for autonomic dysfunction and psychological state in modulating gastrointestinal sensation and motor function. Finally, based on clinical trial evidence, a treatment pathway for functional dyspepsia is suggested.

Report of the Asia-Pacific consensus on the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease

This report summarizes the conclusions and recommendations of a panel of gastroenterologists practising in the Asia-Pacific region. The group recognized that although gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is less common and milder in endoscopic severity in Asia than in the West, there is nevertheless data to suggest an increasing frequency of the disease. During a 2-day workshop, the evidence for key issues in the diagnosis and clinical strategies for the management of the disease was evaluated, following which the recommendations were made and debated. The consensus report was presented at the Asia-Pacific Digestive Week 2003 in Singapore for ratification. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of erosive GERD. There is no gold standard for the diagnosis of non-erosive GERD (NERD). Diagnosis therefore relies on symptoms, a positive 24-h pH study or a response to a course of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment. The goals of treatment for GERD are to heal esophagitis, relieve symptoms, maintain the patient free of symptoms, improve quality of life and prevent complications. The PPI are the most effective medical treatment. Following initial treatment, on-demand therapy may be effective in some patients with NERD or mild (GI) erosive esophagitis. Anti-reflux surgery by a competent surgeon could achieve a similar outcome, although there is an operative mortality of 0.1-0.8%. The decision is dependent on the patient's preference and the availability of surgical expertise. Currently, endoscopic treatment should be performed only in the context of a clinical trial. Treatment of patients with typical GERD symptoms without alarm features in primary care could begin with PPI for 2 weeks followed by a further 4 weeks before going to on-demand therapy.

Systematic review: the methodological quality of trials affects estimates of treatment efficacy in functional (non-ulcer) dyspepsia

AIM

To evaluate treatment efficacy using objective quality criteria.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed of randomized controlled trials of endoscopically investigated dyspepsia (1979-2003) using the Jadad score and Rome II guidelines. The Jadad score differentiated studies as 'high quality' (score 4-5/5) vs. 'poor quality' (score 1-3/5). Three key Rome II guidelines on study design (cut-off of 0/3 or > 0/3) were also compared with the Jadad score.

RESULTS

Poor quality trials suggested a benefit of prokinetic therapy [relative risk (RR) of remaining dyspeptic, 0.47; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.39-0.56), which was not confirmed in high quality trials (RR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.84-1.19). There was a marked benefit of H2-receptor antagonist therapy in poor quality trials (RR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.61-0.76), but a marginal benefit in good quality trials (RR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.79-0.97). Trial quality did not affect the small statistically significant benefit seen with Helicobacter pylori eradication. Two high quality trials suggested a limited benefit with the use of proton pump inhibitors, with no poor quality trials to provide a comparison. Separation of the studies by the Rome II criteria had a similar impact on the calculated treatment estimates.

CONCLUSIONS

The magnitude of benefit of prokinetic and H2-receptor antagonist therapies reported in previous meta-analyses has been over-estimated. The quality of trials has an impact on the efficacy estimates of treatment. The Rome II criteria for study methodology may be appropriate for judging study quality.

Relationships among symptom sub-groups, gastric emptying and blood gut hormones in patients with functional dyspepsia

AIM

To study the relationships among symptom subgroups, gastric emptying and gastrointestinal hormones in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) and to explore pathogenesis of FD.

METHODS

The patients with FD were divided into 3 subgroups according to the RomeIIcriteria and 10 cases were selected randomly from each subgroup. Ten healthy subjects served as control. Thus 4 subgroups were set up, including the ulcer-like dyspepsia group (10 cases), the dysmotility-like dyspepsia group (10 cases), the unspecified dyspepsia group (10 cases) and the control group (10 healthy subjects). Changes of radionuclide gastric emptying and blood levels of relevant gastrointestinal hormones were observed synchronously. After gastric emptying was measured, the 30 cases of FD were divided into 2 groups: the normal gastric emptying group and the delayed gastric emptying group. Gastric emptying was recorded by ^99mTc-labelled solid food. Changes in motilin(MTL), somatostatin(SS), substance P(SP)and nitric oxide(NO)contents in peripheral blood were determined by radioimmunoassay and nitrate reductase technique.

RESULTS

In the ulcer-like group, 40% patients had gastric emptying delay while the half gastric emptying time (GET_1/2) and gastric emptying rate (GE%)at every time-point did not show significant changes(P<0.05)compared with control group and the other two subgroups of FD. The levels of SS in peripheral blood were increased significantly (P<0.05). However, the levels of MTL, SP, NO did not show significant changes (P<0.05) compared with control group. In the dysmotility-like group, 70% patients had gastric emptying delay, meanwhile, GET1/2 was prolonged significantly (P<0.05), and GE% was decreased significantly (15 min, P>0.05; 30 min, P>0.05; 45 min, P<0.05; 60 min, P<0.05; 90 min, P<0.01; and 120 min, P<0.01, respectively). Levels of SS in peripheral blood were increased significantly (P<0.05), whereas levels of MTL, SP, NO did not show significant changes (P>0.05). In the unspecified group, 70% of patients had gastric emptying delay, meanwhile, GET1/2 was prolonged significantly (P<0.05), and GE% was decreased significantly (15 min P>0.05; 30 min, P>0.05; 45 min, P<0.05; 60 min, P<0.05; 90 min, P<0.01; and 120 min, P<0.01, respectively). Levels of SS in peripheral blood were increased significantly (P<0.05), whereas levels of MTL, SP, NO did not show significant changes (P>0.05). In the normal gastric emptying group of FD, levels of SS in peripheral blood were increased significantly (P<0.05), whereas levels of MTL, SP, NO did not show significant changes (P>0.05). In the delayed gastric emptying group of FD, levels of SS and NO in peripheral blood were increased significantly (P<0.05), whereas levels of MTL were decreased significantly (P<0.05), meanwhile, levels of SP did not show significant changes (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Gastric motility disturbance plays an important role in pathogenesis of dysmotility-like dyspepsia and unspecified dyspepsia. Three subgroups of FD have different mechanisms and the Rome II criteria have practical importance in diagnosis and therapy of FD. Therefore, gastric emptying test has significance in evaluation of gastric motility function and in the treatment of FD. The increase of NO and the decrease of MTL are related to gastric emptying delay. The roles of SS and SP need to be studied further.

The management of peptic ulcer disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The period under review has seen little evolution in our understanding of the empiric management of dyspepsia. The role of Helicobacter pylori in this setting remains controversial, and a policy of risk stratification with the prudent use of test and treat and symptomatic therapy, with endoscopy for nonresponsive cases, seems to have some support from the literature in this period.

RECENT FINDINGS

The management of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug-associated and aspirin-associated complications has received a lot of attention in the period under review. The COX-2 selective agents have maintained their reputation as safer (but not "safe") options, although some of the original work with one of these agents has been rigorously interrogated and found wanting. Studies in the review period have focused our attention on the less than satisfactory protection of proton pump inhibitor cotherapy, the site-specific nature of ulcer recurrences (which may have therapeutic implications), lower gastroenterology complications associated with NSAID use, and the beneficial effect of proton pump inhibitor cotherapy for patients receiving low-dose aspirin. One should also expect a lot more information in the future with regard to the use of the nitric oxide donating class of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and aspirin.

SUMMARY

Findings are presented that suggest that the H.pylori stool antigen test is not as reliable as the urea breath test, while the most promising "new therapy" for H. pylori is not new, but rather an amalgam of some older drugs combined in a new "quadruple" therapy strategy, which shows some promise.

Is it possible to predict treatment response to a proton pump inhibitor in functional dyspepsia?

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of proton pump inhibitors in functional dyspepsia is modest and the prognostic factors are almost unknown.

METHODS

Data were pooled on patients (n = 826) with a diagnosis of functional dyspepsia from two placebo-controlled trials who were treated with omeprazole, 10 or 20 mg once daily, for 4 weeks. Self-administered questionnaires for the assessment of symptoms and health-related quality of life were completed before entry, and epigastric pain/discomfort was recorded on diary cards. Treatment success was defined as the complete absence of epigastric pain/discomfort on each of the last 3 days of week 4. Prognostic factors were identified by multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The most discriminating predictor of treatment success (P < 0.0001) was the number of days with epigastric pain/discomfort during the first week of treatment. Fewer days with symptoms during the first week led to higher response rates at 4 weeks. In addition, age > 40 years, bothersome heartburn, low scores for bloating, epigastric pain and diarrhoea, history of symptoms for < 3 months and low impairment of vitality at baseline were identified as positive predictors of outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Early response to treatment with a proton pump inhibitor, during the first week, seems to predict the outcome after 4 weeks in patients with functional dyspepsia.

New developments in the treatment of functional dyspepsia

Functional dyspepsia is a clinical syndrome defined by chronic or recurrent pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen of unknown origin. Although generally accepted, investigators differently interpret this definition and clinical trials are often biased by inhomogeneous inclusion criteria. The poorly defined multifactorial pathogenesis of dyspeptic symptoms has hampered efforts to develop effective treatments. A general agreement exists on the irrelevant role played by Helicobacter pylori in the pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia. Gastric acid secretion is within normal limits in patients with functional dyspepsia but acid related symptoms may arise in a subgroup of them. Proton pump inhibitors appear to be effective in this subset of patients with dyspepsia. Non-painful dyspeptic symptoms are suggestive of underlying gastrointestinal motor disorders and such abnormalities can be demonstrated in a substantial proportion of patients. Postprandial fullness and vomiting have been associated with delayed gastric emptying of solids, and early satiety and weight loss to postcibal impaired accommodation of the gastric fundus. Prokinetics have been shown to exert beneficial effects, at least in some patients with dyspepsia. In contrast, drugs enhancing gastric fundus relaxation have been reported to improve symptoms, although conflicting results have also been published. An overdistended antrum may also generate symptoms, but its potential pathogenetic role and the effects of drugs on this abnormality have never been investigated formally. Visceral hypersensitivity plays a role in some dyspeptic patients and this abnormality is also a potential target for treatment. Both chemo- and mechanoreceptors can trigger hyperalgesic responses. Psychosocial abnormalities have been consistently found in functional digestive syndromes, including dyspepsia. Although useful in patients with irritable bowel syndromes (IBS), antidepressants have been only marginally explored in functional dyspepsia. Among the new potentially useful agents for the treatment of functional dyspepsia, serotonin 5-HT(4) receptor agonists have been shown to exert a prokinetic effect. Unlike motilides, 5-HT(4) receptor agonists do not appear to increase the gastric fundus tone and this may contribute to improve symptoms. 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists have been investigated mainly in the IBS and the few studies performed in functional dyspepsia have provided conflicting results. Also, kappa-opioid receptor agonists might be useful for functional digestive syndromes because of their antinociceptive effects, but available results in functional dyspepsia are scanty and inconclusive. Other receptors that represent potential clinical targets for antagonists include purinoceptors (i. e., P2X2/3 receptors), NMDA receptors (NR2B subtype), protease-activated receptor-2, the vanilloid receptor-1, tachykinin receptors (NK(1)/NK(2)) and cholecystokinin (CCK)(1) receptors.