[Effect of 1-year long-term treatment with sucralfate on symptomatic recurrence of duodenal ulcer]. / Effekt af ét års langtidsbehandling med sukralfat på symptomatisk recidiv af duodenalt ulcus.

One hundred and two patients, who obtained relief from their duodenal ulcer symptoms with sucralfate (Antepsin R) in a dosage of 2 g b.i.d. for four weeks, were randomized to maintenance therapy with sucralfate 2 g at bedtime or a placebo for one year or until possible recurrence of symptoms. Ninety-four patients completed the study, 46 on sucralfate and 48 on the placebo. Eighteen of the sucralfate-treated patients (39%) experienced relapse of symptoms, as did 36 (75%) of the placebo treated patients. This difference was significant (p = 0.0008). In the sucralfate group most of the symptoms recurred within three months after randomisation, whereas the relapse rate seemed constant in the placebo group. It is concluded that 2 g sucralfate at bedtime is effective in preventing recurrence of duodenal ulcer symptoms.