Controlled Clinical Trial with Sucralfate in the Treatment of Macroscopic Gastritis

Abstract

The efficacy of sucralfate in the treatment of patients with dyspepsia and macroscopic signs of gastritis was assessed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Treatment was 2g sucralfate or placebo taken 1/2 h before breakfast and at bedtime. Clinical and endoscopic examinations were performed after 6 weeks' treatment, and if mucosal changes and/or symptoms persisted, medication was continued for another 6 weeks. Cumulative healing rates at 6 and 12 weeks were 43% (13 of 30) and 62% (18 of 29) in the sucralfate group versus 37% (11 of 30) and 62% (18 of 29) in the placebo group. Corresponding rates for symptomatic improvement were 80% and 83% for those receiving sucralfate and 73% and 79% for placebo-treated patients. None of the differences between sucralfate and placebo were significant, and sucralfate does not seem to be superior to placebo in the treatment of macroscopic gastritis.

Key Words:

• Gastritis
• non-ulcer dyspepsia
• sucralfate