Local disodium cromoglycate is ineffective in ulcerative proctosigmoiditis

Conflicting results have emerged from studies using oral and rectal disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) in inflammatory bowel disease. In the present double-blind study, 43 patients with active ulcerative proctosigmoiditis received either placebo (n = 22) or 600 mg DSCG (n = 21) rectally as enemas for eight weeks. Assessment was made from clinical investigations, endoscopy, laboratory tests, biopsies, and diary cards. No statistically significant differences in bowel frequency, rectal bleeding, general well-being, abdominal pain, and severity and extent of the disease were found between the groups during the study. There was no significant change in the histologic parameters. No side-effect was encountered. It is concluded that DSCG did not improve symptoms or inflammatory changes in ulcerative proctosigmoiditis.