OMEPRAZOLE IN THE TREATMENT OF ASTHMATICS WITH NOCTURNAL SYMPTOMS ANDGASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX - A PLACEBO-CONTROLLED CROSS-OVER STUDY

Eleven adult patients with nocturnal asthma, and gastro-oesophageal re flux documented by endoscopy or ambulatory oesophageal pH monitoring c ompleted a double-blind cross-over study (4 week treatment, one week r un-in and cross-over periods) comparing the effects of omeprazole 20 m g daily and placebo on asthma control assessed by symptoms, peak expir atory how rate and bronchodilator usage. Omeprazole treatment did not improve asthma symptoms during the day or night, or peak expiratory fl ow rate readings. There was no difference in bronchodilator inhaler us age during omeprazole therapy. Treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux with omeprazole in patients with nocturnal asthma and gastro-oesphagea l reflux does not improve asthma symptoms or peak expiratory flow rate . This suggests that gastro-oesophageal reflux does not exacerbate bro nchoconstriction in nocturnal asthma.