Expert perspectives on GERD management, with particular emphasis on the use of rabeprazole monotherapy and in combination with domperidone in the Indian clinical settings

Objective: To assess clinicians' perspectives on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) management, with a particular emphasis on the use of rabeprazole alone and in combination with domperidone in routine Indian settings. Methods: The cross-sectional study involving clinical specialists across India was conducted using a 24-item questionnaire focused on prevalence, risk factors, and rabeprazole use in GERD management. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis of study data. Results: The study included 269 participants. Approximately 89% of clinicians reported using rabeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), for its long-lasting effect in managing night-time heartburn in GERD patients. A similar proportion (89%) preferred the combination therapy of rabeprazole and domperidone for treating night-time GERD symptoms. The majority (90.71%) rated this combination as highly effective. Most participants (91%) identified the combination as the fastest-acting option for relieving night-time symptoms. According to 43% of respondents, GERD patients experiencing night-time heartburn often presented with obesity as a co-morbid condition. Around 61% recommended the rabeprazole + domperidone combination specifically for night-time heartburn. Additionally, 62% of clinicians stated that a 1-2-week duration of this combined therapy was effective in relieving symptoms. Similarly, 64% emphasized that endoscopy is the investigation of choice in GERD. Conclusion: The study highlights a clinical preference for rabeprazole, particularly in combination with domperidone, for managing night-time GERD symptoms in Indian settings. The combination is perceived as both effective and fast-acting. These findings underscore the relevance of tailored therapy and support the role of endoscopy in the diagnostic evaluation of GERD.