Efficacy of Pantoprazole in Patients Older Than 18 Years Who Have Symptoms of Non-erosive Reflux or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (BY1023/DE-004)

Main Inclusion Criteria:

• Written informed consent

• Inpatients (hospitalization during the entire study period is mandatory)

• Symptomatic (heartburn, acid regurgitation or dysphagia for at least 1 day sinceadmission to the hospital) non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) or erosivegastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, LA Grade A-D)

Main Exclusion Criteria:

• Known Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or other gastric hypersecretory condition

• Previous acid-lowering surgery or other surgery of the esophagus and/or uppergastrointestinal tract (exception: polypectomy and cholecystectomy)

• On initial endoscopy, presence of obstructive esophageal strictures, Schatzki's ring,esophageal diverticula, esophageal varices, achalasia or Barrett's esophagus withknown high-grade dysplasia or longer than 3 cm

• Acute peptic ulcer and/or ulcer complications

• Pyloric stenosis

• Known inflammatory bowel diseases