Sucralfate in the prevention of duodenal ulcer relapse and factors influencing the relapse rate.

Forty three subjects with DU confirmed at endoscopy and healed after eight weeks of sucralfate therapy were subjected to a randomized double-blind controlled trial for six months. Twenty one subjects received sucralfate (1 g one hour before breakfast and dinner). Twenty two subjects received placebo. Symptoms were evaluated every month. The subjects were endoscoped at the end of the trial or earlier in case symptoms recurred. Sucralfate was found to be significantly more effective than placebo (6/21 vs. 17/22, p < 0.005) in preventing DU relapse. Age at presentation, age at onset, duration of illness, sex, periodicity, smoking, gastric stasis like symptoms, associated irritable bowel syndrome, degree of deformity of the bulb and initial presence of duodenitis were the factors examined for their effect upon the relapse. In the placebo group relapsers had significantly shorter mean duration of illness indicating that DU may relapse more frequently in earlier part of its natural course. Other factors did not influence the relapse rate. In the sucralfate group, higher ages at onset and at presentation were associated with significantly higher relapse rate. Sucralfate may be less effective in preventing relapse in elderly and late onset DU patients.

Esophagitis: clinical and endoscopic assessment of sucralfate therapy.

Twenty patients with endoscopically proved reflux esophagitis were studied. Each patient was given 1 gm sucralfate 4 times a day for 6 weeks. Clinical and endoscopic assessment of the effects of sucralfate on reflux esophagitis was done. 50% patients became asymptomatic and 60% healed endoscopically. The drug was well tolerated. We conclude that sucralfate is an effective and well tolerated drug for treatment of reflux esophagitis.

Sucralfato: uma terapêutica esquecida / Sucralfate: a forgotten therapy

Säo revisados os aspectos farmacológicos do sucralfato e, enfatizados o seu uso clínico no tratamento da esofagite de refluxo, úlceras duodenal e gástrica, e na profilaxia da ulceraçäo de "stress"