A comparative study on Baclofen and Omeprazole in patients with GERD

Aim To compare baclofen and omeprazole in patients with GERD. Materials and Methods This is an open label prospective study. This study was done in our department from may 2012 to june 2012. We included patients with symptoms of GERD . Total number of patients - 30. Baseline symptoms score was obtained patients were randomized. Baclofen 10mg bd was given for one group and omeprazole 20mg was given for another group. Patients were reassessed after 2 wks. Results Total number of patients in baclofen group was 15 and in omeprazole group was 14. Heartburn, regurgitation, epigastric pain and belching were graded according to the severity before and after treatment using standard GERD questionnaire. In baclofen group ,66 percent patients had severe belching, moderate heartburn(60 percent), moderate regurgitation(50 percent), whereas in omeprazole group, 57 percent had severe heartburn, severe belching(59 percent), moderate regurgitation(42 percent) and moderate epigastric pain(71 percent) . After treatment 93 percent patients in baclofen group had relief from belching compared to 43 percent in omeprazole group and regurgitation decreased In 80 percent with baclofen compared to 55 percent , whereas only 53 percent had relief from heart burn in baclofen group compared to 85 percent in omeprazole group and 71percent of patients had relief from epigastric pain in omeprazole group (vs 46 percent). One patient had mild drowsiness which didnt need stoppage of baclofen .Conclusion This study shows that baclofen decreses belching and regurgitation compared to omeprazole where as omeprazole is better in controlling heart burn. Drowsiness doesnt limit baclofen use. Hence, Baclofen may be more useful in GERD with predominant belching