A study on the effectiveness of low-dose liquid antacid in the treatment of duodenal ulcer.

ABSTRACT

Eighty Thai patients aged 15 to 60 with endoscopic diagnosis of a single duodenal ulcer 5-20 mm. in diameter were randomized into two treatment groups. Group-A patients received hospital - made liquid aluminium – magnesium hydroxide antacid q.i.d. (30 ml. one hour after each meal and at bedtime acid neutralizing capacity 240 mEq/day). Group-B patients received a liquid placebo of similar appearance taken in the same manner. All patients were allowed additional antacid tablets as necessary for relief of ulcer symptoms. Repeat endoscopy was made after 4 weeks of treatment. Ten patients in group A and group B defaulted. The ulcer healing rates in those completing the study were 73.3 and 52.0 percent in group A and group B respectively. The study illustrates that low-dose liquid antacid taken four times daily for four weeks can be associated with duodenal ulcer healing in over two-thirds of cases, although the statistical significance over that of the placebo was not clearly demonstrated in this study with small numbers of cases. It also shows that the four-week placebo healing rate in Thai patients with duodenal ulcer can be as much as fifty percent or greater. Overall, however, patients’ compliance with a liquid medication is below expectation.