For the study, John G. Mastronarde, MD, from Ohio State University Medical College in Columbus and colleagues randomly assigned 412 patients with poorly controlled asthma and minimal or no gastroesphageal reflux symptoms to 40 mg of esomeprazole (a proton pump inhibitor) twice a day, or a placebo.

 

The participants were followed for a period of 24 weeks, at the end of which the researchers found that esomeprazole did not improve asthma control compared with placebo (2.5 and 2.3 events per person-year, respectively). Also both groups exhibited no differences in their lung function or other asthma symptoms.

 

Given the findings, the researchers concluded that esomeprazole is no more effective than a placebo to treat asthma.

 

“This research is especially important because, by determining which patients do not need the additional medication, we are saving them unnecessary costs, potential side effects and the risk of interactions with other drugs,” said Mastronarde, a specialist in lung function and critical care at Ohio State University Medical College.

 

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, there are more than 22 million people diagnosed with asthma. Some 32 percent to 84 percent of them may suffer from acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, according to data cited in the current study.