Misoprostol for the treatment of chronic erosive gastritis: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Pazzi, P.; Gamberini, S.; Scagliarini, R.; Dalla Libera, M.; Merighi, A.; Gullini, S.
American Journal of Gastroenterology 89(7): 1007-1013
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9270 PMID: 8017357 Document Number: 433556
Objective: To assess the efficacy of misoprostol for the treatment of chronic erosive gastritis and associated symptoms. Methods: We performed a double-blind controlled trial, administering 200-mu-g misoprostol tablets or placebo twice daily for 2 months to 48 patients with symptomatic chronic erosive gastritis. Symptomatology was assessed by means of a standard questionnaire at the beginning and at the end of the study, as well as endoscopic and histologic changes of the gastric mucosa. Results: At the end of the treatment period, a significant reduction in symptom score was observed in misoprostol-treated (from 86.6 +- 66.2 to 17.6 +- 18.2, p lt 0.001) but not in placebo-treated patients. Endoscopic score was significantly reduced at the end of the treatment period in the misoprostol group, compared with that of the placebo group (p lt 0.05). A significant reduction in the activity of histologic gastritis was observed only in patients on misoprostol. The prevalence of gastric colonization by Helicobacter pylori was rather low (30%), and no effect of treatment was observed. Conclusions: Patients with symptomatic chronic erosive gastritis seem to profit from treatment with misoprostol: the treatment with misoprostol, but not with placebo, was effective in significantly reducing the extent of symptoms. Such an improvement was associated with a substantial improvement in the endoscopic and histologic appearance of the gastric mucosa.