[Predictive factors for healing of esophagitis. Prospective study during ranitidine therapy].
This study was conducted to identify factors predicting favourable outcome after ranitidine 300 mg o.d. treatment for oesophagitis. Patients with grade 2 or 3 erosive oesophagitis were included in the study. Each investigator recruited 2 patients with the same grade of lesion in order to minimize bias in assessing symptoms. All patients received the same 6-week treatment: 300 mg ranitidine daily in the form of an effervescent tablet after the dinner. Symptomatology was assessed after 2 and 6 weeks of treatment and endoscopy was performed at the end of the treatment period. A successful outcome was defined as the absence of erosive lesions (grade 0 or 1). A total of 515 patients were recruited and 500 retained for analysis (15 patients did not follow the treatment protocol correctly): 267 grade 2 and 233 grade 3 (mean age: 52.5 years; sex ratio M/F: 1.7). Patients with grade 3 oesophagitis had more severe symptoms; hiatal hernia was also more frequent in this group. Alcohol intake and smoking habits were similar in both groups. After 6 weeks of treatment, successful healing was observed in 87 percent of the grade 2 patients and in 72 percent of the grade 3 patients. Three factors predicting successful outcome were found: grade 2 (odds ratio (OR): 1.50; p = 0.001), symptom duration less than 30 days after treatment onset (OR: 1.50; p = 0.001) and complete relief of symptoms after two weeks of treatment (OR: 1.31; p = 0.03). Disease history and the course of symptoms during treatment with ranitidine could help predict endoscopic outcome of oesophagitis.
Fournet
J
J
Service de Gastroentérologie, CHRU, Grenoble.
Ottignon
Y
Y
Alberola
B
B
D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D011899:Ranitidine