Controlled clinical trial with sucralfate in the treatment of macroscopic gastritis

The efficacy of sucralfate in the treatment of patients with dyspepsia and macroscopic signs of gastritis was assessed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Treatment was 2 g sucralfate or placebo taken 1/2 h before breakfast and at bedtime. Clinical and endoscopic examinations were performed after 6 weeks' treatment, and if mucosal changes and/or symptoms persisted, medication was continued for another 6 weeks. Cumulative healing rates at 6 and 12 weeks were 43% (13 of 30) and 62% (18 of 29) in the sucralfate group verus 37% (11 of 30) and 62% (18 of 29) in the placebo group. Corresponding rates for symptomatic improvement were 80% and 83% for those receiving sucralfate and 73% and 79% for placebo-treated patients. None of the differences between sucralfate and placebo were significant, and sucralfate does not seem to be superior to placebo in the treatment of macroscopic gastritis.