Stopped: Could not recruit patients - modifying protocol and plan resubmission to our IRB
The purpose of this study is to find out if people who have non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) have changes the investigators can see with a microscope (called confocal endomicroscopy) that is used during endoscopy (a camera scope evaluation of the inside of your stomach and swallowing tube). Traditionally the investigators have used trials of acid blocking medications (PPIs), endoscopy and measurements of acid in the swallowing tube (the esophagus) to determine if the investigators think acid is causing troublesome symptoms. The medical community believes that these symptoms are due to increased spaces between the cells that make up the swallowing tube. The investigators can directly see those spaces with a new microscope that the investigators can pass through the camera scope. Participants will be assigned to take one of two medications omeprazole and sucralfate (both approved medications for stomach symptoms) to treat their symptoms and record how well the treatment works. The investigators then will look to see if the microscope can predict which medication will work best for patients in the future. The investigators also plan to measure the acid levels in your swallowing tube and do a camera evaluation of your swallowing tube and stomach as this is standard for patients with your symptoms. The investigators will compare the results of those studies to the microscope findings.
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Response to NERD treatment
Timeframe: 8 weeks