Acid Reflux Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Acid Reflux, including details on diet, gerd (gastro-esophageal reflux disease), treatment, symptoms.

The effect of acid suppression on sleep patterns and sleep-related gastro-oesophageal reflux.

Orr WC, Goodrich S, Robert J

Lynn Institute for Healthcare Research, Oklahoma City, OK, USA. worr@lhsi.net

BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated that night-time gastro-oesophageal reflux affects sleep quality, and thereby impairs daytime functioning. AIM: To determine whether treatment with a proton-pump inhibitor (rabeprazole) would improve both objective and subjective measures of sleep. METHODS: Individuals with complaints of significant gastro-oesophageal reflux disease were studied by polysomnography and 24-h pH monitoring on two separate nights. On one occasion, participants received 20 mg rabeprazole b.d., and on another they received placebo. Both study conditions were preceded by a week of treatment with either rabeprazole or placebo. The order of treatments was randomized. RESULTS: Rabeprazole significantly reduced overall acid reflux, but it did not significantly reduce night-time acid contact. Rabeprazole treatment significantly improved subjective indices of sleep quality. There were no significant differences on objective measures of sleep between placebo and rabeprazole treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with other studies of pharmacological treatments for gastro-oesophageal reflux, subjective measures of sleep improved with heartburn medication but objective measures were not affected.

Published 31 January 2005 in Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 21(2): 103-8.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Acid Reflux Research Today. All Rights Reserved.