Use of acid suppressive therapy more than 10 years after the endoscopic diagnosis of reflux esophagitis with specific emphasis to trademark and generic proton pump inhibitors

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Reflux esophagitis needs maintenance therapy. Data on comparison between trademark and generic medications are not available. Complaints and use of acid-suppressive therapy 10 years after diagnosis were determined.

METHODS: A total of 672 patients with esophagitis between 1998 and 2000 were reviewed. Patients received a questionnaire regarding the use of acid-suppressive therapy, dosage, compliance and satisfaction. The use of trademark and generic medications was assessed. The presence of reflux complaints was assessed via a questionnaire, and a symptom score was calculated using a five-point Likert scale.

RESULTS: A total of 208 patients returned the questionnaire, of whom 161 (78%) used acid-suppressive therapy. Of the patients still on therapy, 72% (n = 116, group 1) had reflux complaints, while the remaining 45 patients (28%, group 2) were in remission. There was no difference in sex, age, or severity of the initially diagnosed reflux esophagitis. Patients in group 1 were significantly less compliant and satisfied compared to patients from group 2 (73% vs 96% and 83% vs 100%, P < 0.001, respectively). An equal number of patients in both groups used trademark and generic medications (P = not significant). The presence of reflux complaints, as well as the symptom score, showed no difference between users of trademark or generic medication.

CONCLUSION: More than 10 years after the diagnosis, 22% of patients stopped using acid-suppressive therapy. Only a minority (28%) were in clinical remission, associated with significantly higher satisfaction and compliance to therapy, as compared to their symptomatic counterparts. There was no difference in effect and usage of trademark versus generic medication preparations.