Résumé
Background: Currently, it has been demonstrated that gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD] is one of the most important disorders of the digestive system and the commixture of regular diet has a significant influence on its incidence, symptoms, and prognosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of zinc supplementation, in combination with PPIs [Proton pump inhibitors], on the improvement of GERD symptoms
Methods: In a randomized double blind clinical trial, patients with reflux symptoms, who had obtained Reflux Disease Questionnaire [RDQ] score more than 8, were included and all the demographic features were recorded. Then, using upper gastrointestinal [GI] endoscopy, all the patientswere divided into two groups as having non-erosive reflux disorder [NERD],or erosive reflux disorder [ERD]
At the next step, based on random block statistical method, we divided the two groups into two subgroups; the drug subgroup [treated with PPIs [40 mg pantoprazole/daily], changing life style, and 220 mg zinc capsules daily] and the placebo subgroup [treated with PPIs, changing life style, and placebo]. After 3 months, we analyzed all data and the RDQ questionnaire was filled out for each patient. This project has been registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials [IRCT] and all data were analyzed using SPSS software version 2
Results: A total of 140 patients [81 women and 59 men] with mean age of 42.78+/-11.5 years were included with 70 patients in each group. The most frequent presentations were heart burn [45.7%], and acid regurgitation [39.3%]. The RDQ scores decreased after intervention in both drug [p<0.001] and placebo groups [p<0.001], which were statistically significant. But the difference of RDQ scores between the drug group and placebo group was not statistically significant [p=0,086]
Conclusion: Zinc supplementation cannot improve the severity of GERD