Comparison of two sucralfate dosages presented in tablet form in duodenal ulcer healing.

Two hundred twenty-two patients with endoscopically proven duodenal ulcers participated in a controlled trial to assess and compare the effects of two dosage regimens of sucralfate tablets on ulcer healing, i.e., 1 g four times daily (group A, n = 131) and 2 g twice daily (group B, n = 128). Healing was defined as complete re-epithelialization. Clinical and endoscopic assessments were performed after four weeks (Day 28) and, if complete healing was not achieved, after four more weeks (Day 56). After four weeks, in group A (n = 114: eight patients were lost and nine were withdrawn), the ulcers had healed in 90 patients (79 percent), and in group B (n = 108: six patients were lost and 14 were withdrawn), the ulcers had healed in 80 patients (74 percent). The cumulative healing rates after eight weeks were 94 percent in group A and 95 percent in group B. No serious adverse effect was observed in either group. These results suggest that sucralfate tablets in a dosage of 2 g twice daily are as effective as 1 g four times daily in the treatment of acute duodenal ulcers and could lead to better patient compliance.

[Australia antigen and chronic hepatitis in blood donors]. / Antigène Australia et hépatite chronique chez les donneurs de sang

A routine search for Australia antigen in 29,936 blood donors at the Orleans Hospital Blood Transfusion centre led to the discovery of 105 apparently healthy carriers. Liver function tests were carried out in 80 of the latter and revealed abnormalities in 34 of them. Out of 18 patients who had no other explanation such as alcohol or drugs and who had abnormal tests six months later, 11 accepted liver biopsy. Histology revealed 4 cases of post-hepatic cirrhosis, 2 cases of chronic aggressive hepatitis, 2 cases of chronic persistent hepatitis and 3 livers with non-specific changes.

[Idiopathic hemochromatosis and primary cancer of the liver]. / Hémochromatose idiopathique et cancer primitif du foie

In 74 patients admitted to hospital for primary hemochromatosis, the authors observed in 5 cases, the development of primary carcinoma of the liver. The frequency of this complication was definitely greater than in alcoholic or post-hepatitic cirrhosis, whether one considers patients in hospital or on autopsy. The best signs of malignant change are alterations in the surface of the liver and the development of hemorrhagic ascites. Using modern methods of clinical investigation, it is possible to make the diagnosis during the patient's life. Laparoscopy, permitting biopsy under direct vision, is the best investigation but it is not always possible. A search for alpha 1 foeto-protein was positive in one third of cases and the demonstration by hepatic arteriography of characteristic vascular abnormalities and, perhaps in future, information supplied by ultra-sonic echography, usually permit one to make the diagnosis. The course was fatal within a few months, and it seems that metastases and vascular spread are less frequent than in carcinoma developing on cirrhosis due to other causes.