OMEPRAZOLE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC DUODENAL ULCERATION

Omeprazole, a substituted benzimidazole, is an acid pump inhibitor, introduced for treatment of chronic duodenal ulceration. In a study of 116 patients with endoscopically documented chronic duodenal ulcers, omeprazole affected healing in 77 (66.3%) patients after two weeks and 106 (91.4%) patients after four weeks, with symptoms relief in 102 (88%) patients within the first week of treatment. There was significantly higher healing rate in females (p<0.05) and diffuse ulceration rather than single ulcers (p<0.05). In meta-analysis comparing omeprazole to other antiulcer drugs reported in this country, there was a significant higher healing rate (p<0.01) and symptom relief (p<0.01) in favour of omeprazole. It proved to be effective and safe for the short term treatment of chronic duodenal ulceration.