title: H2 antagonists in the treatment of reflux esophagitis: a critical analysis.
abstract: To ascertain through clinical and endoscopic assessment, the clinical benefits of using H2 antagonists to treat patients with reflux esophagitis, we researched the English language literature using Index Medicus (1978-87) and bibliographic resources of textbooks. We selected 10 of 20 articles originally reviewed, which specifically addressed the stated purpose. Forty-three percent to 63% of patients treated with H2 antagonists improved symptomatically, compared with 9% to 35% of patients receiving placebo. Sixty percent to 88% of patients receiving H2 antagonists improved endoscopically, compared with 26% to 28% of patients receiving placebo. H2 antagonists are an effective treatment for reflux esophagitis. They cause a symptomatic and endoscopic improvement, mainly in moderate-to-severe erosive esophagitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stalnikowicz-Darvasi
mesh_terms: D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic
chemical_list: D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists