Patient satisfaction with switching to esomeprazole from existing proton pump inhibitor therapy for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: an observational, multicentre study.

objectiveTo determine treatment satisfaction in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) when switched to esomeprazole.

methodsThis observational, multicentre study conducted in the Netherlands included primary-care patients being treated with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) [omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole or lansoprazole] for GORD who were switched to esomeprazole by their physician. After a median of 28 days' esomeprazole therapy, patients' satisfaction was assessed using a questionnaire. Patients self-rated whether they were 'more satisfied', felt there was 'no difference' or were 'less satisfied' with esomeprazole compared with previous PPI therapy. Symptom control, concomitant medication use and tolerability were also assessed.

resultsOverall, 4929 patients were included in this study; of these, only 21.9% were satisfied with PPI treatment at consultation (i.e. prior to switching to esomeprazole). Following switching to esomeprazole therapy, 88.0% of patients were satisfied with therapy and only 26.9% of patients were still experiencing symptoms (vs 84.0% at consultation); 71.3% were more satisfied with esomeprazole than with their previous PPI, most frequently because they had fewer or no symptoms. Among patients who had been using concomitant therapy to control GORD symptoms, 62.0% were no longer using any such medication. Of the 1069 patients who had been satisfied with their previous PPI therapy, 39.4% were even more satisfied with esomeprazole. Esomeprazole was well tolerated; the most commonly reported adverse events were nausea/vomiting and headache, and no treatment-related serious adverse events occurred.

conclusionAmong primary-care patients receiving PPI therapy for GORD, switching to esomeprazole therapy impacts positively on treatment satisfaction and symptom control.