Studies Show Body Mass Index Has No Effect on Resolution and Healing of GER...(MD FACG Universityof Kansas School of Me...),Health

In the first study, data from two randomized, double-blind trials comparing NEXIUM(R) (esomeprazole magnesium) 20 mg or 40 mg once daily with placebo were pooled and analyzed. A total of 704 patients with non-erosive reflux disease -- meaning they had frequent heartburn but no evidence of erosion in the esophagus -- were included. The analysis showed that BMI had no significant effect on resolution of heartburn (P=0.9853) in patients treated with NEXIUM.(1)

The second study looked at a total of 11,027 GERD patients with erosive esophagitis, a condition in which stomach acid wears away, or erodes, the inner lining of the esophagus over time. About one in three people with frequent, persistent heartburn also have erosive esophagitis. Researchers analyzed five randomized, double-blind multicenter clinical studies that compared NEXIUM 40 mg once daily with omeprazole 20 mg once daily or lansoprazole 30 mg once daily. The analysis found that BMI had no significant effect on healing of erosions (P=0.2286) in patients treated with PPIs.(2)

"PPIs are the mainstay of therapy for patients with erosive and non-erosive GERD. These analyses tell us that the dosage of NEXIUM, one of the most well-studied PPIs, remains equally as effective regardless of a patient's weight, and does not need to be adjusted based on a patient's BMI-an ideal quality for any medication," said Debra Silberg MD, PhD, Senior Director Clinical Research at AstraZeneca and an author on both of the studies.

Dr. Silberg added that while these studies confirm that PPIs are effective therapies for GERD patients who are overweight or obese, losing weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise may also help alleviate symptoms.<
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