EFFECT OF SULGLYCOTIDE IN THE PREVENTION OF DUODENAL-ULCER RELAPSE

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of sulglycotide, a gastroprot ective drug, as maintenance treatment for patients with duodenal ulcer . Design: A randomized double-blind study. Methods: A total of 119 pat ients with recently healed duodenal ulcers were randomly allocated, in a double-blind fashion, to receive sulglycotide 200 mg twice daily (6 0 patients) or placebo (59 patients) for 1 year. Patients underwent cl inical assessment every third month and endoscopy at 6 and 12 months, or earlier if relapse was suspected. Results: The cumulative endoscopi c relapse rates, compared using the log rank test, were 37 and 52% aft er 6 and 12 months, respectively, in the sulglycotide group and 62 and 71% (P=0.03), respectively, in the placebo group. Conclusions: Sulgly cotide is moderately effective as a maintenance treatment for duodenal ulcer disease.