The influence of intravenous omeprazole on intragastric pH and outcomes in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding after successful endoscopic therapy--a prospective randomized comparative trial.
OBJECTIVE
The role of omeprazole in preventing rebleeding in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding after successful endoscopic therapy has been controversial. In this study, we used 3 different formulas of intravenous omeprazole in the above patients. We wished to compare the intragastric pH and outcomes among them.


METHODS
Between July 1996 and May 1997, after having obtained initial hemostasis with endoscopic therapy, a total of 20 patients with peptic ulcer bleeding (spurting/oozing/non-bleeding visible vessel: 6/4/10) received intravenous bolus of omeprazole 20 mg every 3 hours; 20 patients (3/5/12) received intravenous bolus of omeprazole 40 mg every 6 hours; and, 20 patients (5/4/11) received intravenous bolus of omeprazole 80 mg every 12 hours for 3 days. One intragastric pH meter (Gastrograph Mark III, Medical Instruments Corp. Switzerland) was used to record 24-hour intragastic pH.


RESULTS
The intragastric pH in the patients receiving omeprazole 20 mg every 3 hours was 6.1, 6.0-6.2 (mean: 95% CI); in patients receiving omeprazole 40 mg every 6 hours it was 6.4, 6.2-6.5; and, in patients receiving omeprazole 80 mg every 12 hours it was 5.8, 5.7-5.9. The duration of intragastric pH > 6.0 in omeprazole 20 mg every 3 hours was 70.9%, 57.3%-84.4% (mean: 95% CI); in omeprazole 40 mg every 6 hours it was 83.1%, 73.1%-93.1%; and, in omeprazole 80 mg every 12 hours it was 66%, 51.5%-80.4%. Patients with peptic ulcers receiving omeprazole 40 mg intravenous bolus every 6 hours had the highest intragastric pH as compared with the other 2 groups (p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences concerning rebleeding rates, volume of blood transfusion, hospital stay, numbers of operation and mortality among the 3 groups.


CONCLUSIONS
After initial hemostasis had been obtained, patients with peptic ulcer bleeding receiving 40 mg intravenous bolus every 6 hours had the highest intragastric pH. However, they had similar outcomes with the other 2 groups.
Tseng
G Y
GY
Department of Medicine, VGH-TAIPEI, Taiwan.
Lin
H J
HJ
Lin
H Y
HY
Perng
C L
CL
Lee
F Y
FY
Lo
W C
WC
Chang
F Y
FY
Lee
S D
SD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005745:Gastric Acidity Determination; D016558:Hemostasis, Endoscopic; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010438:Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D012008:Recurrence
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D009853:Omeprazole