Controlled trial of maintenance cimetidine treatment in healed duodenal ulcer: short and long-term effects.

Maintenance Cimetidine Treatment for Healed Duodenal Ulcers: A Double-Blind Trial

Duodenal ulcers, a common gastrointestinal ailment, have been a focus of medical research for decades. This study examines the efficacy and safety of maintenance cimetidine treatment in preventing relapse of healed duodenal ulcers.

The study, a double-blind trial involving 42 patients with endoscopically diagnosed duodenal ulcers, evaluated the effectiveness of cimetidine in preventing relapse after ulcers had healed. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either cimetidine (400 mg twice daily) or placebo for six months. The primary outcome was the occurrence of ulcer relapse.

Cimetidine Shows Promise in Preventing Relapse

The results demonstrated that cimetidine was significantly effective in preventing relapse. Only five out of 20 patients receiving cimetidine experienced relapse, compared to 16 out of 22 patients receiving placebo. This difference in relapse rates was statistically significant, highlighting the potential benefit of maintenance cimetidine treatment.

The Long-Term Challenge

The study also found that relapse was frequent after discontinuation of treatment, particularly in the cimetidine group. This suggests that continued maintenance treatment might be necessary to prevent long-term recurrence of duodenal ulcers.

Dr.Camel's Conclusion

The desert of duodenal ulcer treatment can be a challenging one, with recurrent symptoms often leading patients back to the well of medication. This study suggests that cimetidine might offer a more stable oasis, providing a better chance of preventing relapse. However, the need for long-term treatment remains a concern, and more research is needed to determine the optimal approach for managing duodenal ulcers and preventing their recurrence.