[Comparative effectiveness of ursodeoxycholic acid preparations in the treatment of biliary sludge]

Evaluation of therapeutic efficiency of various drugs of ursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of biliary sludge

Background. Biliary sludge (BS) refers to the pre-stone stage of gallstone disease. Timely treatment of this condition with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) drugs helps prevent the progression of the disease. However, not all drugs used in practice are equally effective in relieving clinical manifestations, resolving sludge according to ultrasound results and tolerance. Aim. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the drug Ursofalk in comparison with other UDCA drugs used for the treatment of BS. Materials and methods. We examined 105 people with different types of BS identified during ultrasound examination (US); they were divided into 2 groups depending on the UDCA drug taken. In patients, the dynamics of clinical manifestations was assessed using a questionnaire, as well as the dynamics of the ultrasound picture while taking UDCA. Results. Statistical analysis showed that Ursofalk significantly better relieves biliary pain (p=0.025) and biliary dyspepsia (p=0.039), pain regression occurs faster (p=0.01) in 21 days. It also has a better tolerance in 94.34% of cases compared to other drugs 67.31% (p=0.017). Ursofalk has a greater effect on the regression of BS according to ultrasound results after 3 months (p=0.022) and 6 months (p=0.016). Conclusion. The drug studied by us demonstrated high efficiency in relation to patients with BS, while there were minimal side effects, which led to a better tolerability of therapy.