The effect of acid suppression on sleep patterns and sleep‐related gastro‐oesophageal reflux

Abstract

Several studies have demonstrated that night-time gastro-oesophageal reflux affects sleep quality, and thereby impairs daytime functioning. To determine whether treatment with a proton-pump inhibitor (rabeprazole) would improve both objective and subjective measures of sleep. Individuals with complaints of significant gastro-oesophageal reflux disease were studied by polysomnography and 24-h pH monitoring on two separate nights. On one occasion, participants received 20 mg rabeprazole b.d., and on another they received placebo. Both study conditions were preceded by a week of treatment with either rabeprazole or placebo. The order of treatments was randomized. Rabeprazole significantly reduced overall acid reflux, but it did not significantly reduce night-time acid contact. Rabeprazole treatment significantly improved subjective indices of sleep quality. There were no significant differences on objective measures of sleep between placebo and rabeprazole treatment. Consistent with other studies of pharmacological treatments for gastro-oesophageal reflux, subjective measures of sleep improved with heartburn medication but objective measures were not affected.