In clinical practice, reflux-related symptoms are always
the principal reason for patients to seek treatment.
Patients with heartburn are frequently treated without
endoscopic assessment of the presence of mucosal disease.
Empirical treatment with a PPI in clinical practice
is common. In addition, symptom relief and control contribute
substantially to the improvement in the patients’
quality of life.63 As symptom control, e.g. the absence of
heartburn, is a justifiable practical treatment goal, the
superiority of dexlansoprazole against esomeprazole in
symptom control in treating NERD should be considered
along other factors, e.g. treatment cost, interaction with
food, etc. when choosing a PPI.