On demand therapy of reflux oesophagitis - a prospective study of symptoms, patient satisfaction and quality of life

Background: In patients with low-grade reflux oesophagitis adequate symptom control is the aim of treatment, Effervescent tablets alleviate heartburn more rapidly than ordinary tablets, Aim: To investigate symptom control, patient satisfaction, health-related q uality of life and disease progress when ranitidine 150 mg effervescent tab lets were offered as on demand treatment, We also wanted to investigate whe ther any biological or psycho-sooial factor could predict patient satisfact ion, Method: Consecutive patients with endoscopically verified reflux oesophagit is grade I-II were followed up for 12 months. 24 h pH-metry, disease histor y, symptoms acid several psyche-social factors were registered at baseline and 12 months follow-up. Results: Eighty-one patients were included. Mean age was 50.7 years (range 21-82), 63% were men. Mean tablet consumption was 1.21 per day (range 7-101 6 tablets/year). At the 1-year follow-up discomfort resulting from reflux s ymptoms was significantly reduced (P < 0.001), and the patients' social and vocational life improved. Eighty-four percentage of the patients were sati sfied with the treatment. 24 h pH-metry or number of reflux episodes did no t change. We did not find any factors able to predict patient satisfaction, Conclusions: On demand therapy with ranitidine effervescent tablets was wel l accepted by the majority of patients with reflux oesophagitis grade I. Ev en though the number of reflux episodes did not change, the patients experi enced less discomfort due to reflux symptoms, and their social and vocation al life was better. There was no significant progression of the disorder du ring the 1-year follow-up, No predictive factor for patient satisfaction wa s found.