Head-to-head study confirms Nexium better than pantoprazole

Prague, Czech Republic, Monday, 27th September 2004, 08.00 CET - The superior efficacy of esomeprazole (Nexium) over pantoprazole was unequivocally demonstrated today when the full results of a head-to-head study were revealed for the first time.

New data from the EXPO study shows that among gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients with healed erosive esophagitis who were maintained in remission at six months, relapse of esophageal erosions or moderate-severe GERD symptoms was prevented in 16% more patients treated with esomeprazole versus pantoprazole.1 Among patients evaluated in the total management portion of the EXPO study, erosive esophagitis was healed (at 4 to 8 weeks), GERD symptoms were relieved (at 4 to 8 weeks), and both healing and symptom relief were maintained (through 6 months) in 19% more patients treated with esomeprazole than with pantoprazole. 1

This follows earlier EXPO results in the acute phase of treatment, showing esomeprazole achieves higher healing rates and faster symptom resolution versus pantoprazole. 1,2,3

Between 20-40 per cent of people in Europe experience recurrent heartburn, the primary symptom of GERD . The prevalence of erosive esophagitis in patients with GERD is estimated to be approximately 30 per cent, but may be present in 50-65 per cent in selected populations of GERD sufferers. 2 GERD is usually managed in the primary care setting, and estimates suggest that as many as 95 per cent of patients are treated without a prior endoscopy to determine esophageal mucosal disease severity. 2,3,4 In addition, there is poor correlation between symptom severity and the presence or absence of esophageal erosions or, if present, the severity grade of erosive esophagitis. Thus, symptoms can not be used as diagnostic guidance for predicting disease status of the esophageal mucosa.

Trial lead investigator Dr Joachim Labenz of Jung-Stilling Krankenhaus, Siegen, Germany, said that the excellent efficacy of esomeprazole across all grades of esophagitis makes treatment highly predictable, even when treating patients with unknown disease severity.

\"Regardless of disease severity, more patients are healed and maintained in remission when treated with esomeprazole, whether you compare it to pantoprazole or lansoprazole,\" said Professor Labenz, speaking at the 12th United European Gastroenterology Week (UEGW).

\"When you add to this data showing esomeprazole offers faster and more sustained symptom relief, it becomes the logical treatment choice.\"

In the study, after six months of treatment with esomeprazole (20 mg once daily) 87 per cent of patients with healed erosive esophagitis were maintained in remission, compared with 74.9 per cent of those who received pantoprazole (20 mg once daily) (life table estimates p