Long-term peri-implant bone level changes of non-vascularized fibula bone grafted edentulous patients.

Long-term results of reconstructions and prosthetic rehabilitation of patients presenting severely atrophied edentulous ridges remains a challenge for clinicians. Among the various available augmentation materials there is evidence that avascular fibula bone grafts possess a reliable resistance against resorption and may thus provide a valuable source to reduce the loss of vertical bone height after reconstruction of the severely atrophied mandible and maxilla. The purpose of the present study was to assess long-term crestal bone level stability in avascular fibula bone grafts.

Clinical trial: factors associated with freedom from relapse of heartburn in patients with healed reflux oesophagitis--results from the maintenance phase of the EXPO study.

Background: Ability to predict freedom from heartburn relapse during maintenance therapy for healed reflux oesophagitis may facilitate optimal treatment choices for individual patients.

Aim: To determine factors predicting freedom from heartburn relapse during maintenance proton pump inhibitor therapy in patients with healed reflux oesophagitis.

Methods: This post-hoc analysis used data from the maintenance phase of the EXPO study (AstraZeneca study code: SH-NEG-0008); 2766 patients with healed reflux oesophagitis and resolved heartburn received once-daily esomeprazole 20 mg or pantoprazole 20 mg for 6 months.

Clinical trial: factors associated with resolution of heartburn in patients with reflux oesophagitis--results from the EXPO study.

Background: The ability to predict symptom response to reflux oesophagitis-healing therapy may optimize treatment decisions.

Aim: To identify factors associated with heartburn resolution in patients receiving acid-suppressive therapy for reflux oesophagitis.

Methods: In this multicentre, randomized, double-blind trial (EXPO; AstraZeneca study code: SH-NEG-0008), patients with endoscopically confirmed reflux oesophagitis and reflux symptoms received once-daily proton pump inhibitor therapy [esomeprazole 40 mg (n = 1562) or pantoprazole 40 mg (n = 1589)] for >or=4 weeks.

On-demand therapy is a valid strategy in GERD patients: pros and cons.

On-demand proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy is an attractive option for long-term management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Controlled trials in non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) patients have shown sufficient symptom control in most patients with a high rate of willingness to continue treatment and substantial saving on PPI expenditure. However, due to the slow onset of action of PPIs, rescue antacids are often used when symptoms recur and several patients continue to experience some degree of heartburn.

Prospective follow-up data from the ProGERD study suggest that GERD is not a categorial disease.

Objectives: There is a controversy as to whether gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) exists as a spectrum of disease severity or as a categorial disease in three distinct groups: nonerosive (NERD) and erosive reflux disease (ERD) and Barrett's esophagus (BE). Aim of the study was to assess progression or regression of GERD over 2 yr in a large cohort of patients (N = 3,894) under routine clinical care in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (ProGERD study).

Method: Patients with predominant heartburn, with or without esophagitis, were recruited and classified according to endoscopic status at baseline, i.

Esomeprazole 20 mg vs. pantoprazole 20 mg for maintenance therapy of healed erosive oesophagitis: results from the EXPO study.

Background: Following initial healing of erosive oesophagitis, most patients require maintenance therapy to prevent relapse.

Aim: To compare endoscopic and symptomatic remission rates over 6 months' maintenance therapy with esomeprazole or pantoprazole (both 20 mg once daily) in patients with healed erosive oesophagitis.

Methods: Patients with symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and endoscopically confirmed erosive oesophagitis at baseline were randomized to receive esomeprazole 40 mg or pantoprazole 40 mg for up to 8 weeks.