[Gastroduodenal lesions in rheumatoid arthritis. Evaluation and treatment]

In a group of 70 patients of both sexes been treated with antiinflammatory drugs, affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis in activity, we have found the presence of lesions, erosions and gastroduodenal ulcers in 40% by endoscopic examination (26% erosions and 14% ulcers), without any relation with clinical symptoms. Those patients who received larger doses than 30mgr./kg./day of AAS suffered most frequently lesions (43.8%). These 28 patients with lesions have been studied prospectively in a double blind method, and treated twice a day with 150 mgs. doses of Ranitidine or Placebo, throughout a period of 5 weeks without discontinuing the treatment with anti-inflammatories (AAS, Indomethacin, steroids). At the end of the trial those patients who failed in healing their lesions were treated with Ranitidine in the same doses for another period of 5 weeks. The treatment with Ranitidine in doses of 300 mgr/day has resulted curative of the gastroduodenal lesions, although maintaining the aggressive drugs, in the 87% of the patients. We have observed that the treatment with Placebo is less effective and that difference has high statistical significance (p 0.005).