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Ranitidine effectively relieves symptoms in a subset of patients with functional dyspepsia
P G Farup1, S Wetterhus, M Osnes
1Dept. of Medicine, Gjøvik County Hospital, Norway.
Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology
|August 1, 1997
Summary
Ranitidine effectively treats a subset of functional dyspepsia patients, particularly those who initially respond to treatment. The study found significant symptom improvement in responders compared to non-responders.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Acid secretion inhibitors are generally of limited value for functional dyspepsia.
- A subset of patients may benefit from these medications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of ranitidine versus placebo in specific patient subsets with functional dyspepsia.
- To identify patient characteristics that predict response to ranitidine.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, multi-crossover trial involving 226 functional dyspepsia patients.
- Patients were stratified based on an initial effect score and randomized to ranitidine or placebo.
- Symptom improvement was measured using a visual analogue scale.
Main Results:
- Ranitidine showed a significant effect (28 mm) compared to placebo (5 mm) in 'responders' (P < 0.001).
- Overall, ranitidine improved symptoms by 19 mm versus 12 mm for placebo (P < 0.03).
- No significant benefit was observed in 'non-responders'.
Conclusions:
- Ranitidine demonstrates a clinically significant benefit for a subset of functional dyspepsia patients.
- The study could not identify specific characteristics to define these responders.