Randomized controlled trial comparing aerosolized swallowed fluticasone to esomeprazole for esophageal eosinophilia.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with clinical symptoms of esophageal dysfunction and dense eosinophilic infiltration of the esophageal mucosa are suspected to have eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Topical steroids are often used as first-line therapy for EoE, although some patients respond clinically to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). The purpose of this study was to compare the histological and clinical response of patients with esophageal eosinophilia treated with aerosolized swallowed fluticasone propionate vs. esomeprazole. METHODS: This prospective single-blinded randomized controlled trial enrolled newly diagnosed patients with suspected EoE, defined as having clinical symptoms related to esophageal dysfunction with at least 15 eosinophils/high power field (hpf). Patients underwent 24-h pH/impedance monitoring to establish gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Patients were stratified by the presence of GERD and randomized to receive fluticasone 440 mcg twice daily or esomeprazole 40 mg once daily for 8 weeks followed by repeat endoscopy with biopsies. The primary outcome was histological response of esophageal eosinophilia, defined as <7 eosinophils/hpf. Secondary outcomes included clinical change in symptoms using the validated Mayo dysphagia questionnaire (MDQ) and interval change in endoscopic findings following treatment. RESULTS: Forty-two patients (90% male, 81% white, mean age 38 ± 10 years) were randomized into fluticasone (n = 21) and esomeprazole (n = 21) treatment arms. In all, 19% (8/42) of patients had coexisting GERD and were equally stratified into each arm (n = 4). Overall, there was no significant difference in resolution of esophageal eosinophilia between fluticasone and esomeprazole (19 vs. 33%, P = 0.484). In patients with established GERD, resolution of esophageal eosinophilia was noted in 0% (0/4) of the fluticasone group compared with 100% (4/4) of the esomeprazole group (P = 0.029). In GERD-negative patients, there was no significant difference in resolution of esophageal eosinophilia between treatment arms with fluticasone and esomeprazole (24 vs.18%, P = 1.00). The MDQ score significantly decreased after treatment with esomeprazole (19 ± 21 vs. 1.4 ± 4.5, P<0.001), but not with fluticasone (17 ± 18 vs. 12 ± 16, P = 0.162). Improvement in endoscopic findings and other histological markers were similar between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Fluticasone and esomeprazole provide a similar histological response for esophageal eosinophilia. With regard to clinical response, esomeprazole was superior to fluticasone, particularly in patients with established GERD.

Relationship between knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines and performance.

OBJECTIVE: Despite widespread training with CPR guidelines, CPR is often poorly performed. We explore relationships between knowledge of CPR guidelines and performance (compression rate, compression depth, compression to ventilation ratio, and ventilation volume). METHODS: Sixty professional EMTs were sampled at 26 randomly ordered EMS response stations from an urban system of 31 stations. A recording manikin and video model were used to assess performance in a standardized scenario, and a survey was used to assess guideline knowledge. Survey and performance outcomes were categorized prospectively as correct or incorrect based on the International CPR Guidelines from 2000. Relationships were modeled with logistic regression. Covariates included years of work experience, frequency of CPR performance, and ALS versus BLS EMT level. RESULTS: Compression rate was between 80 and 120 min(-1) in 56% (33/59) of trials. Compression depth was 1.5-2 in. in 39% (23/59), compression to ventilation ratio approximated to 15:2 in 42% (25/59), and ventilation volume was 800-1,200 cm(3) in 13% (8/60). Accurate knowledge of the CPR guidelines was associated with better performance of chest compression rate and compression to ventilation ratio. Adjusted OR (95% CI) were 4.6 (1.2-18.1) for compression rate, 1.7 (0.4-6.5) for compression depth, 4.5 (1.1-18.5) for compression to ventilation ratio, and 9.0 (0.2-351) for ventilation volume. CONCLUSIONS: Although accurate knowledge of guidelines is associated with increased odds of correct performance of some aspects of CPR, overall performance remains poor.