To compare the effect of dexlansoprazole and esomeprazole
in relieving symptoms of NERD, we analysed the
number of patients with complete resolution of heartburn
(symptom control) for short-term treatment
(4 weeks) of NERD. The complete resolution of heartburn
was defined as no episodes of heartburn during the
last seven consecutive days of treatment, which was documented
by the patients.
The choice of these outcomes for analyses was pragmatic,
as they were the consistently defined and frequently
reported common outcomes among the different
RCTs, making indirect comparisons possible and reliable
between dexlansoprazole and esomeprazole