Effect of lansoprazole on the epigastric symptoms of functional dyspepsia (ELF study): A multicentre, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background: Since the publication of the Rome III criteria for functional dyspepsia (FD), the evidence about the efficacy of half-dose of proton pump inhibitors for dyspepsia symptoms have been limited. Objective: To examine the efficacy of lansoprazole for functional dyspepsia (FD) diagnosed with the Rome III criteria by the multicentre, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study in Japan. Methods: A total of 54 FD participants were randomized to lansoprazole 15 mg once daily or placebo for a 4-week double-blind treatment period. The primary efficacy endpoint was an overall dyspeptic symptom relief rate evaluated by 5-point Likert scale scores. The alteration of dyspeptic symptom scores during the study period was also assessed. Results: At week 4, the overall dyspeptic symptom relief rates were higher in the lansoprazole group (30.4%) than in the placebo group (6.7%) (p = 0.045). The scores for epigastric pain (p = 0.045) and epigastric burning (p = 0.03) were significantly improved in the lansoprazole group compared to the placebo group, whereas the improvement of the scores for postprandial fullness (p = 0.81) and early satiation (p = 0.33) was not different between lansoprazole and placebo groups. Conclusions: Lansoprazole 15 mg ameliorates dyspeptic symptoms, particularly the epigastric pain syndrome-related symptoms of FD.