Factors affecting response to proton pump inhibitor therapy in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: a multicenter prospective observational study

Background Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, the first-line treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is not always effective. This study aimed to examine the effect of pretreatment patient characteristics on response to PPI therapy. Methods Japanese outpatients with symptomatic GERD scheduled to receive endoscopy and PPI therapy were enrolled in this multicenter prospective observational study. The patients’ characteristics, including GERD and dyspeptic symptoms, anxiety, depression, and quality of life, were assessed using questionnaires before and 2 and 4 weeks after the start of PPI therapy. Factors affecting therapeutic response were examined by simple and multiple regression analyses using three patient-reported outcome measures as objective variables. Results Data from 182 patients were analyzed. In multiple regression analysis using the residual symptom rate as an objective variable, lower GERD symptom score ( p