[Cimetidine treatment of reflux esophagitis: results of a double-blind study]

The effect of cimetidine on healing of reflux esophagitis was investigated in a double blind study in which 16 patients received 1.6 g cimetidine/day and 20 patients placebo. After 6 weeks endoscopic healing or amelioration of the esophagitis was observed in 10 of 20 patients on placebo (50%) and in 9 of 16 patients receiving cimetidine (56%). Continuation of double blind therapy in 24 patients for another 6 weeks led to improved healing in 12 cimetidine patients but not in 10 placebo patients. In only 4 of 16 cimetidine patients there was complete healing of esophagitis at the end of the study. The cimetidine patients had fewer symptoms to a statistically significant degree after 6 and 12 weeks, respectively. It is concluded that, despite its statistically significant effects on esophagitis and reflux symptoms, cimetidine therapy of reflux disease is not satisfactory. If cimetidine therapy appears to be indicated, it should be continued for at least 12 weeks.