First line treatment with omeprazole provides an effective and superior alternative strategy in the management of dyspepsia compared to antacid/alginate liquid: a multicentre study in general practice.

BACKGROUND

Many patients who present with dyspepsia are prescribed antacid/alginates as their first line and often mainstay therapy. This multicentre study was designed to assess whether early introduction of acid inhibition is an effective strategy in dyspepsia management.

METHODS

Dyspeptic patients (n = 674) were randomized to receive either omeprazole 10 mg o.m. or antacid/alginate liquid 10 mL q.d.s. for 4 weeks in an open, parallel group study.

RESULTS

Complete relief of the most common symptom at entry, heartburn, was greater in the omeprazole-treated group compared with the antacid/alginate-treated group (64 vs. 30%, respectively, at 4 weeks; P < 0.0001). The percentage of patients who met the stringent health target of complete relief of overall symptoms was higher in the omeprazole-treated group (41% at 4 weeks) compared with the antacid/alginate group (16% at 4 weeks; P < 0.0001). Comparisons of quality of life scores between treatments favoured the omeprazole group at 2 and 4 weeks for both the Psychological General Well-Being Index and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (each P < or = 0.0009). In addition, a greater proportion of patients rated omeprazole to be more effective in symptom relief and more convenient to use (each P = 0.0001) than antacid/alginate.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that, compared to antacid/alginate liquid 10 mL q.d.s., omeprazole 10 mg o.m. is more effective in the management of dyspepsia symptoms and is the patients' preferred treatment.