CLINICAL-EVALUATION OF LANSOPRAZOLE IN THE TREATMENT OF PEPTIC-ULCERS- INITIAL HEALING AND PREVENTION OF RELAPSE

The clinical usefulness of lansoprazole in the healing of gastric and duodenal ulcers, the S-2-stage shift rate (white scarring rate), and e ndoscopic healing rate with respect to degree of gastric mucosal atrop hy were investigated. The subjects were 50 gastric ulcer and 37 duoden al ulcer patients. The endoscopic healing rate in patients with gastri c ulcers after initial treatment with lansoprazole was 92% after 8 wee ks. The S-2-shift rate was 38% after 8 weeks. The 8-week healing rate in patients without atrophy was 100% and with atrophy was 92%, althoug h the difference was not statistically significant. The S-2-shift rate in patients without atrophy was 42% and in patients with atrophy was slightly lower, at 37%, although the difference was not statistically significant. The endoscopic healing rate in patients with duodenal ulc ers was 93% after 6 weeks, and the S-2-shift rate was 59%. It is firml y established that atrophic gastric mucosa shows a reduction in mucosa l defense factors. However, lansoprazole achieved good endoscopic heal ing rates and S-2-shift rates even in patients with gastric ulcers wit h atrophic background mucosa.