Research Article
Open Access
Efficacy and Safety of Fixed Dose Combination
of Pantoprazole and Low Dose Amitriptyline in
Indian Population Suffering From GERD with Co-
Existing Anxiety
Arif A Faruqui*
Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacologist, Bhabha Hospital, Waterfield road Bandra West 400050, India
*Corresponding author: Arif A Faruqui, Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacologist, A 504, Rizvi Mahal Opp. K.B. Bhabha Hospital, Waterfield road Bandra West 400050, India, E-mail:
@
Received: March 02, 2018; Accepted: March 20, 2018; Published: March 29, 2018
Citation: Arif AF (2018) Efficacy and Safety of Fixed Dose Combination of Pantoprazole and Low Dose Amitriptyline in Indian Population Suffering From GERD with Co-Existing Anxiety. Gastroenterol Pancreatol Liver Disord 6(2): 1-5. DOI: 10.15226/2374-815X/6/2/001122
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of fixed dose combination of Amitriptyline and Pantoprazole in GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) associated with anxiety.
Materials and Methods: A non-randomized, open labelled, non-comparative, multi-centric, study was conducted in total of 211 patients. Each patient was administered a fixed dose combination of Amitriptyline 10 mg and Pantoprazole 40 mg once a day, for 4 week. GERD questionnaire, HADS (Hospital Anxiety & Depression Score) & SF-8 questionnaire (Short Form Health Survey) were performed at baseline and at the end of study as assessment tools.
Results: At the end of study data was extractable only in 188 patients (132 males and 56 females, mean age was 44 ± 12 years). GERD symptoms & anxiety score reduced significantly (p< 0.0001) at week 4 compared to baseline. SF-8 score also improved significantly (p< 0.0001) at week 4. The coexistence of anxiety with GERD was observed more commonly in males compared to females. Tolerability of fixed dose combination was found to be good and none of the subjects discontinued the treatment.
Conclusion: Amitriptyline and Pantoprazole combination was found to be effective and safe for the management in those who had GERD with co-existing anxiety.
Keywords: GERD; Anxiety; Amitriptyline; Pantoprazole;
Materials and Methods: A non-randomized, open labelled, non-comparative, multi-centric, study was conducted in total of 211 patients. Each patient was administered a fixed dose combination of Amitriptyline 10 mg and Pantoprazole 40 mg once a day, for 4 week. GERD questionnaire, HADS (Hospital Anxiety & Depression Score) & SF-8 questionnaire (Short Form Health Survey) were performed at baseline and at the end of study as assessment tools.
Results: At the end of study data was extractable only in 188 patients (132 males and 56 females, mean age was 44 ± 12 years). GERD symptoms & anxiety score reduced significantly (p< 0.0001) at week 4 compared to baseline. SF-8 score also improved significantly (p< 0.0001) at week 4. The coexistence of anxiety with GERD was observed more commonly in males compared to females. Tolerability of fixed dose combination was found to be good and none of the subjects discontinued the treatment.
Conclusion: Amitriptyline and Pantoprazole combination was found to be effective and safe for the management in those who had GERD with co-existing anxiety.
Keywords: GERD; Anxiety; Amitriptyline; Pantoprazole;
Introduction
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition
characterized by the reflux of stomach contents into the
esophagus, which causes several symptoms, such as heartburn
and regurgitation. It is typically divided into three subtypes:
reflux esophagitis (RE), nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) and
Barrett’s esophagus [1].
Presently, up to 70% of the patients with complaints of reflux symptoms have been noted to have NERD [2]. Despite the potency of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on gastric acid secretion, it is now evident that they do not suppress symptoms in patients with GERD as completely as was once supposed. Indeed, with the advent of more thorough symptom evaluation, it is now well recognized that both in the clinical study setting and in ordinary clinical practice, many GERD patients experience persistence of troublesome reflux symptoms while taking PPI therapy [3].
Some 40–50% of patients with NERD, and 6–15% of those with erosive esophagitis (EE), has been reported as refractory to PPI therapy [4].
According to the literature psychological factors, including anxiety and depression, play an essential role in the development of GERD and especially that of NERD [1].
One population based study showed that there is increase in GERD related symptoms due to presence of anxiety and depression [5].
In a recent study by Yang XY et al it was demonstrated that the presence of anxiety in NERD & RE was 49.66% & 44.03% respectively [1].
Predictions by many physicians and previous studies have established that patients with concurrent anxiety or depression would respond poorly to GERD treatment [6].
Thus, it has been proposed that patients who did not respond to PPI therapy are more likely to have psychosocial comorbidity than those who were successfully treated with a PPI [7].
Consequently, anti-anxiety medications may be alternative therapies for patients with NERD and RE if antacids cannot produce a satisfactory effect [1].
Presently, up to 70% of the patients with complaints of reflux symptoms have been noted to have NERD [2]. Despite the potency of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on gastric acid secretion, it is now evident that they do not suppress symptoms in patients with GERD as completely as was once supposed. Indeed, with the advent of more thorough symptom evaluation, it is now well recognized that both in the clinical study setting and in ordinary clinical practice, many GERD patients experience persistence of troublesome reflux symptoms while taking PPI therapy [3].
Some 40–50% of patients with NERD, and 6–15% of those with erosive esophagitis (EE), has been reported as refractory to PPI therapy [4].
According to the literature psychological factors, including anxiety and depression, play an essential role in the development of GERD and especially that of NERD [1].
One population based study showed that there is increase in GERD related symptoms due to presence of anxiety and depression [5].
In a recent study by Yang XY et al it was demonstrated that the presence of anxiety in NERD & RE was 49.66% & 44.03% respectively [1].
Predictions by many physicians and previous studies have established that patients with concurrent anxiety or depression would respond poorly to GERD treatment [6].
Thus, it has been proposed that patients who did not respond to PPI therapy are more likely to have psychosocial comorbidity than those who were successfully treated with a PPI [7].
Consequently, anti-anxiety medications may be alternative therapies for patients with NERD and RE if antacids cannot produce a satisfactory effect [1].
Materials and Methods
Design and Participants
This was a non-randomized, non-comparative, observational,
multi-centric study to determine the effectiveness and safety
of the fixed dose combination of Amitriptyline 10mg and
Pantoprazole 40mg once daily for 4 weeks.
A total of 211 GERD patients (men and women, mean age: 44.16 ± 11.53 years) reporting to Gastroenterology OPD, were screened for the intensity of heartburn, regurgitation, retrosternal pain, nausea, sleep disturbance & use of additional medication on 4 point analog scale(0-3: 0=None; 1=Mild; 2=Moderate & 3=Severe). Evaluation of anxiety symptoms was done using hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) which was a 7-item self-rating questionnaire. Respondents had to indicate the frequency of any symptom on a four-point scale. Scores were calculated as the sum of their respective 7-item scores (ranging from 0 to 21) where (0-7 = normal, 8-10 = borderline abnormal, 11-21 = abnormal). Short-form health survey (SF- 8) questionnaire consisting of 8 items was done on six- point scale (1-6: 1=Very Poor; 2=Poor; 3=Fair; 4=Good; 5=Very Good; 6=Excellent).
During the trial duration, patients were allowed to take additional medications like Levosulpiride, Domperidone, Antacids etc. for symptomatic relief.
A total of 211 GERD patients (men and women, mean age: 44.16 ± 11.53 years) reporting to Gastroenterology OPD, were screened for the intensity of heartburn, regurgitation, retrosternal pain, nausea, sleep disturbance & use of additional medication on 4 point analog scale(0-3: 0=None; 1=Mild; 2=Moderate & 3=Severe). Evaluation of anxiety symptoms was done using hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) which was a 7-item self-rating questionnaire. Respondents had to indicate the frequency of any symptom on a four-point scale. Scores were calculated as the sum of their respective 7-item scores (ranging from 0 to 21) where (0-7 = normal, 8-10 = borderline abnormal, 11-21 = abnormal). Short-form health survey (SF- 8) questionnaire consisting of 8 items was done on six- point scale (1-6: 1=Very Poor; 2=Poor; 3=Fair; 4=Good; 5=Very Good; 6=Excellent).
During the trial duration, patients were allowed to take additional medications like Levosulpiride, Domperidone, Antacids etc. for symptomatic relief.
Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
GERD patients experiencing partial relief with PPI twice
daily were included in the study. Total 211 patients with GERD
& anxiety symptoms who gave their informed consent in the
vernacular language were included in the study. Eligible patients
were in the age range of 20-84 years and were diagnosed to
have GERD with co-existing anxiety by utilizing GERD and HADS
questionnaire at the baseline.
The exclusion criteria included patients with any of the several conditions listed as follows:
Use of prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin; a history of upper gastrointestinal surgery; comorbidities, such as scleroderma, diabetes mellitus, autonomic or peripheral neuropathy, myopathy, functional bowel disorder or any underlying disease (or medication) that might affect the lower esophageal sphincter pressure or increase the acid clearance time and inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent. Females who were pregnant or planning to conceive and lactating mothers were also excluded from the study.
The exclusion criteria included patients with any of the several conditions listed as follows:
Use of prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin; a history of upper gastrointestinal surgery; comorbidities, such as scleroderma, diabetes mellitus, autonomic or peripheral neuropathy, myopathy, functional bowel disorder or any underlying disease (or medication) that might affect the lower esophageal sphincter pressure or increase the acid clearance time and inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent. Females who were pregnant or planning to conceive and lactating mothers were also excluded from the study.
Results
From total 211 patients included in the study, 23 were
dropped out because they did not turn up to follow up at week
4, hence the data was extractable in total 188 patients. In this
observational study we observed higher prevalence of GERD with
co-existing anxiety in males compared to females (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Prevalence of GERD with Co-existing anxiety
Evaluation of GERD symptoms using GERD
questionnaire
The mean reduction in overall GERD symptoms was found
to be clinically significant (p Value < 0.0001) at week 4 compared
to baseline (Figure 2). The mean change of individual symptom
score using unpaired t-test is shown in Table 1.
Figure 2: Improvement in GERD symptoms at Week 4
Anxiety Score
The change in anxiety score was statistically significant (p
Value < 0.0001) at week 4 compared to baseline (Figure 3). The
mean change in anxiety score was performed using unpaired
t-test and is described in Table 2.
Evaluation of physical and mental health using SF-8
Questionnaire
All parameters were found to be significantly (p Value <
0.0001) improved at week 4 when compared with baseline
(Figure 4). Improvements in mean change of SF-8 questionnaire
parameters at week 4 using unpaired t-test are presented in the
Table 3.
The tolerability of this fixed dose combination was found to
The tolerability of this fixed dose combination was found to
Table 1: Evaluation of GERD Using GERD Questionnaire
Parameters |
Baseline |
Week4 |
Mean Difference (95% Confidence Interval) |
Percent Change (%) |
p Value |
Heartburn |
2.638 ± 0.04179 |
0.7287 ± 0.03422 |
-1.91 ± 0.05401 |
72.37 |
p < 0.0001 |
Regurgitation |
2.138 ± 0.05015 |
0.1755 ± 0.02882 |
-1.963 ± 0.05784 |
91.79 |
|
Pain |
2.5 ± 0.04619 |
0.4202 ± 0.03912 |
-2.08 ± 0.06053 |
83.19 |
|
Nausea |
2.441 ± 0.04898 |
0.4202 ± 0.03912 |
-2.021 ± 0.06269 |
82.78 |
|
Sleep Disturbance |
2.293 ± 0.04162 |
0.4096 ± 0.03751 |
-1.883 ± 0.05603 |
82.13 |
|
Additional Medication |
2.468 ± 0.04969 |
0.3085 ± 0.03621 |
-2.16 ± 0.06149 |
87.5 |
SEM: standard error mean
Table 2: Evaluation of Anxiety Using HADS Questionnaire
Parameter |
Baseline (Mean±SEM) |
Week 4 (Mean±SEM) |
Mean Difference (95% Confidence Interval) |
% Improvement |
p Value |
Anxiety Score |
18.34 ± 0.2666 |
5.452 ± 0.1668 |
-13.97 ± 0.03132 |
70.27 % |
< 0.0001 |
SEM: standard error mean
Table 3: Evaluation of Physical and Mental Health using SF-8 Questionnaire
Parameters |
Baseline |
Week 4 |
Mean Change |
Percent Change (%) |
p Value |
General Health |
3.564 ± 0.05848 |
4.064 ± 0.07528 |
0.5 ± 0.09533 |
14.02 |
< 0.0001 |
Physical functioning |
3.58 ± 0.05838 |
4.415 ± 0.06524 |
0.8351 ± 0.08755 |
23.32 |
|
Role Physical |
3.58 ± 0.05838 |
4.415 ± 0.06524 |
0.8351 ± 0.08755 |
23.32 |
|
Bodily pain |
3.016 ± 0.0287 |
3.574 ± 0.06912 |
0.5585 ± 0.07484 |
18.5 |
|
Vitality |
2.963 ± 0.04291 |
3.729 ± 0.06601 |
0.766 ± 0.07873 |
25.82 |
|
Social functioning |
3.064 ± 0.04105 |
3.856 ± 0.06013 |
0.7926 ± 0.07281 |
25.84 |
|
Role Emotional |
2.931 ± 0.03377 |
3.745 ± 0.05688 |
0.8138 ± 0.06615 |
27.77 |
|
Mental Health |
3.005 ± 0.04365 |
3.723 ± 0.05784 |
0.7181 ± 0.07247 |
23.89 |
SEM: standard error mean
Table 4: Total No. of Adverse Events in 59 Patients
Sr. No |
Adverse Events |
Occurrence (%) |
1 |
Vomiting |
22 (11.7) |
2 |
Drowsiness |
18 (9.57) |
3 |
Dryness of mouth |
20 (10.63) |
4 |
Weight gain |
2 (1.06) |
Total |
62 (32.97) |
|
be good, only 59 out of 188 (31.38%) patients reported to have
adverse events (Table 4) of mild intensity which were self limiting
and hence resolved on its own. None of the patients discontinued
the treatment.
Figure 3: Improvement in anxiety score at Week 4
Figure 4: Improvement in SF-8 score at Week 4
Discussion
In our study we observed positive association between
anxiety and GERD patients. Both GERD and anxiety were found
to be significantly improved at week 4 in patients who were
getting partial or no relief from PPI twice daily. Typical GERD
symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation were significantly
(p < 0.0001) reduced by 72.37% & 91.79% respectively along
with improvement in anxiety score by 70.27%. In addition to
symptomatic improvement, in this study we found that there
was significant improvement in QoL of patients assessed by SF-8
questionnaire. There was significant (p < 0.0001) improvement
in general health, physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain,
vitality, social functioning, role emotional and general health from
baseline to week 4. The tolerability of this fixed dose combination
was also found to be good as only 34.57% of patients observed
to have mild intensity adverse events & there were no serious
adverse events reported throughout the study duration. Reduction
in intake of additional medication (Domperidone, Levosulpiride
& Antacids) by 87.50% shows that the reported adverse events
were self limited thus establishing an excellent tolerability and
enhanced patient adherence for this combination.
Various studies evaluated the effect of stress on the gastrointestinal tract. More recent studies have focused on the relationship between stress and reported symptoms of GERD. Bradley et al. evaluated the relationship among stress, psychological traits associated with chronic anxiety, acid reflux parameters and perceptions of reflux symptoms [8]. Jansson et al reported that patients with anxiety but no depression had a 3.2-fold (95%CI: 2.7-3.8) increased risk of reflux symptoms [9]. Another significant finding was that reflux patients who were chronically anxious and exposed to prolonged stressful stimuli may be more likely to perceive low-intensity esophageal stimuli as painful reflux symptoms. Therefore, even normal esophageal acid exposure could trigger complaints of GERD symptoms. Also, it is not a specific psychiatric disorder that may be responsible for gastrointestinal distress but the presence of psychological distress predisposes the fact to have clinical manifestations of GERD [10].
Based on result of our study and the literature it can be postulated that anxiety plays a crucial role in precipitation & increase in GERD symptoms and subsequent reduction in quality of life of the patients. Hence consideration can be given to a low dose Amitriptyline in combination with Pantoprazole for the management of GERD with co-existing anxiety. Nonetheless this combination also has potential to reduce the PPI failure rate in patients with PPI refractory GERD which is particularly very common. Small duration and open label nature of the study were the only limitations, further long duration and double blind studies are warranted.
Various studies evaluated the effect of stress on the gastrointestinal tract. More recent studies have focused on the relationship between stress and reported symptoms of GERD. Bradley et al. evaluated the relationship among stress, psychological traits associated with chronic anxiety, acid reflux parameters and perceptions of reflux symptoms [8]. Jansson et al reported that patients with anxiety but no depression had a 3.2-fold (95%CI: 2.7-3.8) increased risk of reflux symptoms [9]. Another significant finding was that reflux patients who were chronically anxious and exposed to prolonged stressful stimuli may be more likely to perceive low-intensity esophageal stimuli as painful reflux symptoms. Therefore, even normal esophageal acid exposure could trigger complaints of GERD symptoms. Also, it is not a specific psychiatric disorder that may be responsible for gastrointestinal distress but the presence of psychological distress predisposes the fact to have clinical manifestations of GERD [10].
Based on result of our study and the literature it can be postulated that anxiety plays a crucial role in precipitation & increase in GERD symptoms and subsequent reduction in quality of life of the patients. Hence consideration can be given to a low dose Amitriptyline in combination with Pantoprazole for the management of GERD with co-existing anxiety. Nonetheless this combination also has potential to reduce the PPI failure rate in patients with PPI refractory GERD which is particularly very common. Small duration and open label nature of the study were the only limitations, further long duration and double blind studies are warranted.
Conclusion
The fixed dose combination of Amitriptyline and Pantoprazole
caused significant reduction in GERD symptoms along with
improvement in anxiety & quality of life of the patients with
good safety profile. This result justifies the presence of anxiety in
patients suffering from GERD and it may have potential to reduce
PPI failure rate in patients with PPI refractory GERD.
Acknowledgement
The author would like to express his thanks to Doctors Dr.
Rajeev Kishore (MD Diabetocardiologist), Dr. Ravi Waghmare (MD
Medicine), Dr. Kailash Ch.Biswal (MS. Surg.), Dr. Vikramaditya
Shinde (MD Medicine), Dr. Sandeep Yeole (MD Medicine), Dr.
Vandana Kumari (MD), Dr. Pathan S., MS (Gen. Surg); Dr. T. Gade,
(MS. Surg.), Dr. Amol A. Wavre (MS. Surg.), Dr. Rohit Tosharwal,
(MD Medicine) for providing their data support in this study. The
author was also gratified to Ms. Kanchan Choudhary M-Pharm
(Pharmacology) for extending her help in performing statistical
analysis and writing the manuscript.
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