Treatment strategies for reflux esophagitis including a potassium-competitive acid blocker: A cost-effectiveness analysis in Japan.

Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common condition, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the mainstays of treatment. However, concerns have been raised about the safety of PPIs. A potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB), vonoprazan (VPZ), was recently introduced, which may provide clinical benefits.

Vonoprazan versus Lansoprazole for the Initial Treatment of Reflux Esophagitis: A Cost-effectiveness Analysis in Japan.

Objective Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a highly prevalent disorder that negatively affects patients' quality of life and reduces their work productivity. The medical expenses associated with the treatment of GERD are the highest among all digestive diseases. Current guidelines recommend the administration of a standard dose of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for eight weeks as an initial GERD treatment.

Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for gastroesophageal reflux disease 2015.

As an increase in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been reported in Japan, and public interest in GERD has been increasing, the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology published the Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines for GERD (1st edition) in 2009. Six years have passed since its publication, and there have been a large number of reports in Japan concerning the epidemiology, pathophysiology, treatment, and Barrett's esophagus during this period. By incorporating the contents of these reports, the guidelines were completely revised, and a new edition was published in October 2015.

Sleep disturbances and refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms in patients receiving once-daily proton pump inhibitors and efficacy of twice-daily rabeprazole treatment.

Background: Nighttime acid reflux that influences refractory symptoms is strongly associated with sleep disturbances. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between sleep disturbances and refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms in patients receiving once daily proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and the efficacy of twice-daily rabeprazole treatment.

Method: In a multicenter survey, 433 GERD patients receiving once-daily PPI treatment completed a self-report questionnaire that included the Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD (FSSG) and questions about sleep disturbances.

Histology of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease: is it predictive of response to proton pump inhibitors?

Background And Aim: To examine the differences in esophageal histopathology between non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) and reflux esophagitis (RE), and to investigate whether baseline esophageal histopathology can predict the therapeutic response to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

Method: The subjects comprised 94 patients with NERD (n = 71) or mild RE (n = 23). Tissue was biopsied from 5 cm above the squamo-columnar junction (SCJ), and the degree or presence of nine histopathological markers was assessed.

Efficacy of omeprazole, famotidine, mosapride and teprenone in patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms: an omeprazole-controlled randomized study (J-FOCUS).

Background: In Japan, treatment guidelines are lacking for patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms. We aimed to compare the efficacy of different drugs for the treatment of uninvestigated upper gastrointestinal symptoms.

Methods: This was a randomized, open-label, parallel-group multicenter study.

Prescreening of a high-risk group for gastric cancer by serologically determined Helicobacter pylori infection and atrophic gastritis.

Background: Though gastric cancer screening by X-ray examination has been confirmed to be effective for reducing gastric cancer mortality, decreases in efficiency have been pointed out. Establishment of an effective screening system, focusing on high-risk status such as Helicobacter pylori infection and atrophic gastritis, is desirable. To date, combined use of serum anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies and pepsinogen measurement has been assessed prospectively in participants in opportunistic and workplace health check-ups; however, there are no reports of population-based cohort study.

Validation of the pepsinogen test method for gastric cancer screening using a follow-up study.

Background: Serum pepsinogen (PG) measurement has been used for gastric cancer screening since the 1990s. However, there are no reports comparing the screening validity of the PG test method with that of conventional X-ray examination directly in the same population, using a follow-up study.

Methods: From April 2000 to March 2001, 12 120 residents of Osaka Prefecture, who underwent opportunistic screening at a medical checkup organization in Osaka city (hereafter, "the organization"), were enrolled.

A case of endoscopically resected fibrovascular polyp arose from lower esophagus.

Fibrovascular polyps are very rare benign tumors almost originating from the cervical esophagus. We present the case of a 50-year-old man with a history of dizziness and dyspnea on effort for two weeks. The barium esophagogram showed a smooth and rounded polypoid tumor at EG junction.

[Cost-effectiveness analysis for the treatment of non-erosive reflux disease].

Non-erosive reflux disease(NERD) is a common condition and acid-suppressing agents are the mainstay of treatment. A cost-effectiveness analysis comparing a PPI, lansoprazole (LPZ) and a H2RA, ranitidine (RAN) for the treatment of NERD in Japan was performed using a decision analysis. The time period studied was one month and payer or patient' s perspective was considered.

"Proton-pump inhibitor-first" strategy versus "step-up" strategy for the acute treatment of reflux esophagitis: a cost-effectiveness analysis in Japan.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition, and acid-suppressing agents are the mainstays of treatment. For the acute medical management of GERD, two different strategies can be proposed: either the most effective therapy, i.e.

[Evaluation of the efficacy and the cost-effectiveness of maintenance treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: proton pump inhibitor versus histamine-2-receptor antagonist].

GERD is a common condition and acid-suppressing agents are the mainstay of treatment. A cost-effectiveness analysis comparing a PPI, lansoprazole (LPZ) and a H2RA, famotidine (FAM) for the maintenance treatment of reflux esophagitis in Japan was performed using a Markov chain approach. The time period studied was 6 months and payer perspective was chosen.