Systematic review and meta-analysis: enhanced efficacy of proton-pump inhibitor therapy for peptic ulcer bleeding in Asia--a post hoc analysis from the Cochrane Collaboration.
BACKGROUND
Proton-pump inhibitors reduce re-bleeding rates after ulcer bleeding. However, there is significant heterogeneity among different randomized-controlled trials.


OBJECTIVE
To see whether proton-pump inhibitors for ulcer bleeding produced different clinical outcomes in different geographical locations.


METHODS
This was a post hoc analysis of our Cochrane Collaboration systematic review and meta-analysis of proton-pump inhibitor therapy for ulcer bleeding. Sixteen randomized-controlled trials conducted in Europe and North America were pooled and re-analysed separately from seven conducted in Asia. We calculated pooled rates for 30-day all-cause mortality, re-bleeding and surgical intervention and derived odds ratios and numbers needed to treat with 95% confidence intervals.


RESULTS
There was no significant heterogeneity for any outcome. Reduced all-cause mortality was seen in the Asian randomized-controlled trials (odds ratios = 0.35; 95% confidence interval: 0.16-0.74; number needed to treat = 33), but not in the others (odds ratios = 1.36; 95% confidence interval: 0.94-1.96; number needed to treat--incalculable). There were significant reductions in re-bleeding and surgery in both sets of randomized-controlled trials, but the effects were quantitatively greater in Asia.


CONCLUSIONS
Proton-pump inhibitor therapy for ulcer bleeding has been more efficacious in Asia than elsewhere. This may be because of an enhanced pharmacodynamic effect of proton-pump inhibitors in Asian patients.
Leontiadis
G I
GI
Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of North Durham, Durham, UK.
Sharma
V K
VK
Howden
C W
CW
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001208:Asia; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D010438:Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors