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Short-term treatment of gastric ulcer

A meta-analytical evaluation of blind trials

  • Esophageal, Gastric, And Duodenal Disorders
  • Published:
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Abstract

Gastric ulcer is relatively infrequent, and clinical trials are often based on small-sized samples. The aim of this study was to define the “gold standard” therapy of active gastric ulcer. We included all single- or double-blind clinical trials on the short-term treatment of gastric ulcer. All the articles published over the period 1977–1994 were reviewed. Meta-analysis was done with both fixed and random effect models; results were shown using Galbraith's radial plot. Forty-eight papers comprising 52 studies were evaluated. Cimetidine, ranitidine, and famotidine proved significantly better than placebo [odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI 95%) at four to six weeks were: 2.67 (2.03–3.52), 3.94 (2.28–6.80), 1.76 (1.08–2.88), respectively]. Cimetidine and ranitidine had results comparable with the newer H2 blockers [OR (CI 95%) at four weeks: 1.16 (0.91–1.47), 1.11 (0.80–1.55), respectively]. H2 blockers were proved comparable with either sucralfate [OR (CI 95%) at eight weeks: 0.81 (0.37–1.79)] or bismuth [OR (CI 95%) at four to six weeks: 0.67 (0.37–1.20)]. Omeprazole is more effective than H2 blockers [OR (CI 95%) at four weeks: 2.00 (1.57–2.55)]. It is concluded that H2 blockers are preferred to either a placebo or sucralfate for short-term gastric ulcer treatment; the newer H2 blockers do not have significant advantages over the older types; omeprazole can be regarded as the “gold standard” for active gastric ulcer treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. From the Divisione di Gastroenterologia “R. Farini,” Università di Padua, Italy

    Francesco Di Mario MD,  Giuseppe Battaglia MD, Gioacchino Leandro MD, Giovanni Grasso MD, Fabio Vianello MD & Sergio Vigneri MD

  2. Servizio di Gastroenterologia ed Endoscopia Digestiva, OOCCRR SS, Giovanni e Paolo, 30100, Venice, Italy

    Francesco Di Mario MD,  Giuseppe Battaglia MD, Gioacchino Leandro MD, Giovanni Grasso MD, Fabio Vianello MD & Sergio Vigneri MD

  3. IRCCS Specializzato in Gastroenterologia “S. De Bellis,” Castellana Grotte (BA), Italy

    Francesco Di Mario MD,  Giuseppe Battaglia MD, Gioacchino Leandro MD, Giovanni Grasso MD, Fabio Vianello MD & Sergio Vigneri MD

  4. Clinica Medica, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy

    Francesco Di Mario MD,  Giuseppe Battaglia MD, Gioacchino Leandro MD, Giovanni Grasso MD, Fabio Vianello MD & Sergio Vigneri MD

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  1. Francesco Di Mario MD
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Additional information

The statistical analysis and computing with plot program was performed by G. Leandro, MD, Biostatistician. This work was performed under the auspices of the “Roberto Farini Foundation for Gastroenterological Research.”

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Mario, F.D., Battaglia, G., Leandro, G. et al. Short-term treatment of gastric ulcer. Digest Dis Sci 41, 1108–1131 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02088227

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