Effect of omeprazole on symptoms and ultrastructural esophageal damage in acid bile reflux

AIM: To value whether omeprazole could induce the healing of DIS and regression of symptoms in patients with DGER.METHODS: We enrolled 15 symptomatic patients with a pathological esophageal 24-h pH-metry and bilimetry.Patients underwent endoscopy and biopsies were taken from the distal esophagus. Specimens were analyzed at histology and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).Patients were treated with omeprazole 40 mg/d for 3 mo and then endoscopy with biopsies was repeated. Patients with persistent heartburn and/or with an incomplete recovery of DIS were treated for 3 more months and endoscopy with biopsies was performed.RESULTS: Nine patients had a non-erosive reflux disease at endoscopy (NERD) while 6 had erosive esophagitis (ERD). At histology, of the 6 patients with erosive esophagus,5 had mild esophagitis and 1 moderate esophagitis. No patients with NERD showed histological signs of esophagitis.After 3 mo of therapy, 13/15 patients (86.7%, P＜0.01)showed a complete recovery of DIS and disappearance of heartburn. Of the 2 patients treated for 3 more months,complete recovery of DIS and heartburn were achieved in one.CONCLUSION: Three or 6 mo of omeprazole therapy led to a complete regression of the ultrastructural esophageal damage in 86.7% and in 93% of patients with DGER, NERD and ERD respectively. The ultrastructural recovery of the epithelium was accompanied by regression of heartburn in all cases.