title: Sucralfate and alginate/antacid in reflux esophagitis.
abstract: The efficacy of sucralfate and of an alginate/antacid compound was compared in a randomized, double-blind 6-week trial in patients with symptomatic, endoscopically confirmed macroscopic reflux esophagitis. Of the 68 patients who completed the study, 36 received sucralfate and 32 alginate/antacid. Significant symptomatic improvement occurred in both treatment groups: almost 70% of the patients became symptom-free or improved. Esophagitis healed completely in 53% of the patients receiving sucralfate and in 34% of the alginate/antacid patients, as measured with endoscopic criteria (p greater than 0.05). Our results indicate that sucralfate seems to be at least as effective as alginate/antacid in relieving symptoms and in healing macroscopic lesions. As a safe, locally active mucosal protecting agent, sucralfate is a promising new drug for the treatment of reflux esophagitis and deserves further trials over longer periods.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laitinen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ståhlberg
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Kairaluoma
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kiviniemi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pääkkönen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lahtinen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Poikolainen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aukee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000464:Alginates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000535:Aluminum / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000863:Antacids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012824:Silicic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D013392:Sucralfate
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D000863:Antacids; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D001639:Bicarbonates; D004338:Drug Combinations; D012824:Silicic Acid; D013392:Sucralfate; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide; C007829:alginate, aluminium hydroxide, magnesium trisilicate, sodium bicarbonate drug combination; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D000535:Aluminum