Long-term safety and efficacy of omeprazole in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

Abstract

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the mainstay of therapy for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), notwithstanding cost considerations and the resurgent interest in surgical antireflux therapy. Most studies of PPIs have followed up patients for no more than 12 months, but Elly Klinkenberg-Knol and colleagues1 have recently reported on the efficacy and safety data for 230 patients with erosive oesophagitis who received maintenance omeprazole for a mean period of 6·5 years (range 1·4–11·2). The patients had been supplied omeprazole on a compassionate basis early in its development and had been followed up according to a standard protocol.