OMEPRAZOLE IMPROVES PEAK EXPIRATORY FLOW-RATE AND QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN ASTHMATICS WITH GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if omeprazole improv es pulmonary function and quality of life in asthmatics with gastroeso phageal reflux. Methods: This was a double blind, randomized, placebo- controlled cross-over trial. After a 4-wk lead-in period, nine patient s with documented asthma and gastroesophageal reflux, were prescribed either omeprazole 20 mg, daily or placebo for 8 wk and then crossed ov er to the alternate treatment. Outcome measurements included: forced e xpiratory volume at is (FEV,), peak expiratory now rate (PEFR), and re sponses on the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire, a validated disea se specific measure of functional status. Results: After omeprazole tr eatment, compared with placebo, patients had higher mean morning and e vening PEFR, mean absolute difference (95% CI): morning: 37.8 L/min, ( 10.9-64.6), evening: 31.2 (3.2-59.2), Omeprazole treatment led to high er mean overall scores on the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire, an d on the subdomains of activity limitation, symptoms, and emotions (p = 0.039, 0.049, 0.024, 0.040), A trend toward higher FEV1 (mean: 15.6% difference) with omeprazole failed to reach statistical significance (p > 0,2), Conclusions: After taking omeprazole for 8 wk, asthmatics w ith GER have better PEFR and quality of life than after placebo, (C) 1 998 by Am. Cell. of Gastroenterology.