The effect of antireflux treatment on the frequency of awakenings from sleep in patients with Gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: Up to half of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients report having heartburn that awakens them from sleep during the night. Recumbent-awake and conscious awakenings from sleep during the night are commonly associated with acid reflux events. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of esomeprazole 40 mg once daily on nighttime acid reflux, frequency of conscious awakenings associated with acid reflux and the recumbent-awake period.

METHODS: Patients with heartburn and/or regurgitation at least three times a week were eligible for this study. All patients underwent upper endoscopy and were evaluated by demographic, Epworth Sleepiness scale, Berlin and GERD symptom checklist questionnaires. Subjects then underwent esophageal pH testing concomitantly with an actigraphy. All subjects were given esomeprazole 40 mg once daily for 7 days and completed a daily symptom record diary. On day 7, subjects repeated the pH test with actigraphy.

KEY RESULTS: Twenty patients (mean age of 48.95 ± 18.69, age range 20-81 years) were enrolled. Esophageal acid exposure parameters, during recumbent-awake, recumbent-asleep, and conscious awakenings were significantly improved on last day of treatment as compared to baseline (p < 0.05). However, the frequency and duration of conscious awakenings and duration of recumbent-awake period did not improve as compared to baseline (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: While esomeprazole significantly reduced esophageal acid exposure during conscious awakenings and recumbent-awake and asleep periods, it did not decrease the number and duration of conscious awakening or duration of recumbent-awake period.