Background: Hispanic-Americans are a rapidly growing population in the United States, yet gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is not well studied in this population.
Aim: To compare the efficacy of esomeprazole, lansoprazole and pantoprazole in suppressing gastric acid, including the area of the 'acid pocket,' in Hispanics with GERD.
Methods: In this open-label, 3-way crossover study, 83 Hispanics with symptomatic GERD were randomized to 1 of 6 possible treatment sequences of three 5-7-day dosing periods with esomeprazole 40 mg, lansoprazole 30 mg and pantoprazole 40 mg daily separated by 10-17-day washout periods. Intragastric pH was measured for 24 h using dual probes with a distal and proximal (area of the 'acid pocket') electrode.
Results: Esomeprazole suppressed intragastric acid (pH >4.0) significantly longer over 24 h (primary end point) compared with lansoprazole and pantoprazole (P < 0.0001), and proximal gastric acid (pH >4.0) significantly longer over 24 h compared with lansoprazole (P < 0.05) and pantoprazole (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions: Esomeprazole was more effective than lansoprazole and pantoprazole in suppressing gastric acidity at both intragastric distal and proximal (area of the acid pocket) sites in Hispanics with GERD. Future studies are warranted to understand better the role of the acid pocket in GERD (Clinical trial numbers: D9612L00106; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00410592).