Comparison of Omeprazole and Histamine H2-Receptor Antagonists in the Treatment of Elderly and Young Patients with Reflux Oesophagitis

Abstract

Retrospective analyses of two multicentre clinical trials were carried out to examine the association of age with endoscopically verified reflux oesophagitis lesions and symptoms before and after 4 or, if necessary, 8 weeks randomized double-blind treatment with omeprazole (20 mg o.m.) or histamine H₂-receptor antagonists (H₂RA)(cimetidine 400 mg q.d.s. or ranitidine 150 mg b.d.). Of the elderly patients (≥65 years) 79 received omeprazole, 39 cimetidine and 36 ranitidine; of the young patients (2RA-treated patients (23%, p < 0.001). In the young patient group the proportion of omeprazole-treated patients (57%) both healed and symptom-free was nearly twice that of H₂RA-treated patients (29%, p < 0.001). The advantage of omeprazole over H₂RA, in terms of endoscopic healing and symptom relief, is at least as great in elderly patients as in younger patients.