Abstract
IntroductionTreatment of persistence to proton pump inhibitors or non-acid reflux episodes in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease is challenging. Prucalopride, a selective high affinity serotonin (5-HT4) receptor agonist, might offer a possible new therapeutic alterative.Case presentationsWe report four chronically constipated female gastroesophageal reflux disease-patients with reflux symptoms and an increased number of reflux episodes in combined esophageal pH and multichannel impedance monitoring treated with prucalopride (2mg per day). Symptoms were persistent to proton pump inhibitors and ranitidine. Gastroesophageal reflux was detected by pH or multichannel impedance (MII) monitoring. Numbers of all reflux episodes as well as non-acid reflux episodes were reduced in all of our patients. The objective findings were concordant with subjective reports of symptom relief. There were no major adverse events in any patient during therapy with prucalopride.ConclusionAdministration of prucalopride showed promising results in the treatment of persisting or weakly and/or non-acid reflux episodes in our case series in four constipated patients. Therefore, prucalopride can be regarded as a possible therapeutic option in the treatment of standard proton pump inhibitor-persistent reflux in the chronically constipated patient. However, further prospective trials are needed to prove our findings.
Highlights
Treatment of persistence to proton pump inhibitors or non-acid reflux episodes in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease is challenging
Prucalopride can be regarded as a possible therapeutic option in the treatment of standard proton pump inhibitor-persistent reflux in the chronically constipated patient
In the presented case report, we provide experiences with four patients with pump inhibitor (PPI)-persistent or weakly and/or non-acid reflux episodes treated with prucalopride due to chronic constipation
Summary
Our case series showed a reduction of “PPIpersistent” and non-acid reflux episodes during prucalopride therapy in four chronically constipated women. Prucalopride might be a new and promising therapeutic option in the challenging demand for treating constipated patients with GERD who had standard PPIpersistent reflux episodes. Authors’ contributions SN collected the patients’ data, created contact or kept in contact with the patients, conducted pH and MII monitoring, participated in the design of the study and drafted the manuscript. MB participated in the design of the study and helped to draft the manuscript. RMS participated in the study’s coordination and helped in the development of the manuscript. VB conceived of the study and its design, participated in its coordination, conducted pH and MII monitoring and took part in the development of the manuscript.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
