Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are effective in healing reflux esophagitis and relieving the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Prevention of recurrence of symptoms has become a therapeutic aim in patients with these conditions.
Aims: We investigated the effects of rebamipide, a mucosal protective anti-ulcer agent, on recurrence of reflux symptoms during PPI maintenance therapy.
Methods: Patients with esophagitis of Los Angeles classification A or B were treated with PPIs for 8 weeks. Patients with relief of symptoms were enrolled for further study. Forty-one patients were randomized to maintenance therapy with 15 mg of lansoprazole daily or 15 mg of lansoprazole and 300 mg rebamipide daily, and recurrence of symptoms was monitored over 12 months. In some patients, concentration of rebamipide and interleukin(IL)-8 expression in the esophageal mucosa were estimated.
Results: During the 12-month period, 11/20 patients (52.4%) taking lansoprazole 15 mg daily suffered recurrence of symptoms, compared to 4/20 patients (20%) treated with lansoprazole 15 mg and rebamipide 300 mg daily (P < 0.05). Rebamipide was detected in the esophageal mucosa 90-180 min after oral administration. IL-8 mRNA expression in the esophageal mucosa of patients with rebamipide was significantly decreased compared with that of patients without rebamipide.
Conclusions: Combination therapy with rebamipide and lansoprazole appears to be highly effective in preventing recurrence of symptoms during long-term maintenance treatment for GERD.