Abstract :
Background: Portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) is a cause of portal hypertensive related bleeding,
for which no medications have been shown showed efficacious. In a recent molecular study in PHG rat model,
rebamipide was noted to promote healing of damaged gastric mucosa. In the present study, we attempted to demonstrate
this effect in PHG patients.
Methods: From October 2009 to December 2009, patients undergoing esophagogastroscopy (EGD) at
Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital who were found to have PHG were randomized to receive either rebamipide
or placebo. After 12 weeks of treatment, follow up EGD and hemoglobin level were performed to compare endoscopic
changes and hemoglobin levels within and between the two groups.
Results: Eight patients were included in the study. Of the 4 patients in the rebamipide group, 1 patient
showed an improvement in the PHG score, 2 patients were found to have a worsened PHG score, and 1 patient
showed no change. In the placebo group, all 4 patients exhibited no change in the PHG score. No statistically
significant changes in the PHG score were noted. Increased in hemoglobin levels after treatment were not statistically
significant in the two groups (1.3 ± 0.8 vs 1.4 ± 1.2; p = 0.773).
Conclusion: Rebamipide was not shown to exert a beneficial effect on PHG in this small pilot study. |
file/Thai-Journal-of-gastroenterology-vol-11-no-2-1421424.pdf