Journal article

Effects of baclofen on the functional anatomy of the oesophago-gastric junction and proximal stomach in healthy volunteers and patients with GERD assessed by magnetic resonance imaging and high-resolution manometry: A randomised controlled double-blind study

J Curcic, A Schwizer, E Kaufman, Z Forras-Kaufman, S Banerjee, A Pal, GS Hebbard, P Boesiger, M Fried, A Steingoetter, W Schwizer, M Fox

Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics | Published : 2014

Abstract

Results In both HVs and GERD patients, baclofen reduced the frequency of postprandial reflux events. The oesophago-gastric insertion angle in GERD patients was reduced (-4.1 ± 1.8, P = 0.025), but was unchanged in healthy controls. In both study groups, baclofen augmented lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) pressure (HVs: +7.3 ± 1.8 mmHg, P < 0.0001, GERD: +4.50 ± 1.49 mmHg, P < 0.003) and increased LES length (HVs: +0.48 ± 0.11 cm, P < 0.0003, GERD: +0.35 ± 0.06 cm, P < 0.0001).Conclusions Baclofen inhibits transient LES relaxations and augments LES pressure and length. Additionally, baclofen has effects on the 'functional anatomy' of the OGJ and proximal stomach in GERD patients, which may s..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Grants

Awarded by Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur F&#x00F6;rderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung


Funding Acknowledgements

This research was supported by an unrestricted grant for independent, investigator led research from Astra Zeneca Research & Development, Molndal, Sweden. Additional support was secured from the Baugarten Foundation, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland and the Zurich Centre for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP). Mark Fox, Michael Fried and Werner Schwizer have received funds for research from Nestle Research International, AstraZeneca R&D, Given Imaging, and Reckitt Benckiser. Mark Fox has received support for educational events from Given Imaging, Medical Measurement Systems and Sandhill Scientific Instruments. He has received honoraria for presentations and/or reimbursement for attending symposia and/or is a member of advisory boards for Given Imaging, AstraZeneca, Reckitt Benckiser, Shire, Almirall and Sucampo. Other authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.