Otilonium bromide in irritable bowel syndrome: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 15-week study

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of otilonium bromide, a spasmolytic agent, in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome using modern and validated diagnostic criteria.

METHODS

Three hundred and seventy-eight patients with irritable bowel syndrome were enrolled in the study. At entry, endoscopy/barium enema, clinical examination and laboratory tests were used to rule out organic diseases. After a 2-week placebo run-in, 325 patients were randomly assigned to receive either otilonium bromide 40 mg t.d.s. or placebo for 15 weeks. Abdominal pain, abdominal distension and disturbed defecation were scored at the beginning of the study and every 5 weeks. A global determination of well-being by visual analogue scale and the tenderness of the sigmoid colon were also scored.

RESULTS

The reduction in the number of abdominal pain episodes was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in otilonium bromide patients (55.3%) than in those taking placebo (39.9%) as was the severity of abdominal distension (42.0%, vs. 30.2%; P < 0.05). Bowel disturbance improved in both groups. but without any statistically significant difference. The visual analogue scale of well-being revealed a significant improvement (P < 0.05) in patients taking otilonium bromide. The investigators' global positive assessment was in favour of otilonium bromide (65.2%) compared with placebo (49.6%) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Otilonium bromide may represent an effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome because it reduces its predominant symptom (abdominal pain/ discomfort) more than placebo does.

Combined therapy with 5-aminosalicylic acid tablets and enemas for maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis: a randomized double-blind study

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy of a combination of oral and topical 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) for the maintenance treatment of ulcerative colitis, we undertook a double-blind randomized clinical trial.

METHODS

Patients aged 18 to 65 yr (with disease extent greater than proctitis only) were eligible for inclusion in the study if they met the following criteria: (a) history of two or more relapses in the last year; (b) achievement of remission in the last 3 months (with maintenance of remission for at least 1 month). Patients enrolled in the study were randomly assigned to one of the two following 1-yr treatments: (1) combined therapy with 5-ASA tablets 1.6 g/day and 5-ASA enemas 4 g/100 ml twice weekly; (2) oral therapy with 5-ASA tablets 1.6 g/day and placebo enemas/twice weekly. The main end point of the study was the maintenance of remission at 12 months.

RESULTS

Upon completion of the study, relapse occurred in 13 of 33 patients in the combined treatment group versus 23 of 36 patients in the oral treatment group (39 vs 69%; p = 0.036). No significant side effects related to treatment were observed in either group. A simplified pharmacoeconomic analysis shows that this form of combined treatment can have a favorable cost-effectiveness ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that 5-ASA given daily by oral route and intermittently by topical route can be more effective than oral therapy alone. This form of combination treatment can be appropriate for patients at high risk of relapse.

Non-absorbable antibiotics in the treatment of diverticular disease of the colon

Diverticular disease of the colon is a common health problem in western societies. Most patients with colonic diverticula are asymptomatic; it has been estimated that only 20% of individuals harboring diverticula will develop symptoms and signs of illness and a minority will develop major complications. Medical treatment of diverticular disease is aimed to the relief of symptoms and to prevent inflammatory complications. High fiber diets and antispasmodics are widely used in the treatment of uncomplicated diverticular disease although their real efficacy has not been fully elucidated. Antibiotics are used to treat major inflammatory complications of diverticular disease but apparently there is no rationale for their use in uncomplicated disease where an inflammatory component is, by definition, excluded. However two recent papers suggest a possible role of rifaximin, a broad-spectrum poorly absorbable antibiotic, in the management of mild acute diverticulitis and in obtaining symptomatic relief in patients with uncomplicated disease. Prospective studies with an adequate sample size per group of treatment are needed to assess the efficacy of cyclic long term administration of poorly absorbable antibiotics in preventing major complications of diverticular disease.

The usefulness of the acridine-orange stain in identifying Helicobacter pylori in gastric biopsies

The efficacy of the Acridine-orange stain (AOS) in identifying Helicobacter pylori (HP)-like organisms in biopsy smears from adults with gastroduodenal disease was studied. The results obtained indicate that AOS can replace Gram Stain in HP organism identification in gastroduodenal mucosa specimen.

Nizatidine in the short-term treatment of duodenal ulcer--an Italian Multicenter Study

One hundred and seventy three patients suffering from duodenal ulcer, were selected for a double-blind, controlled and randomized parallel multicenter study, with interval endoscopic examinations. This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy and safety of nizatidine administered at a single dose (300 mg "nocte") versus ranitidine (300 mg "nocte") in the treatment of acute duodenal ulcer. One hundred and sixty five patients were found to meet every admission criterion and completed the study (86 on nizatidine and 79 on ranitidine). On admission to the study, both groups were seen to have been correctly selected and epidemiologically well-distributed as to history of duodenal ulcer, previous treatments and pre-study symptoms. The ulcer was considered healed when complete re-epithelialization had occurred in areas of ulcerated mucosa. Healing rates of duodenal ulcer proved to be globally similar in the two groups, both in the 4th week (nizatidine, 78%; ranitidine, 78%) and in the 8th week (nizatidine, 91%; ranitidine, 95%). After four weeks of treatment, 67% of the patients treated with nizatidine no longer had any symptoms, while 87% patients no longer suffered from day pain, and 91% had no nocturnal pain. As a result, intake of antacids quickly decreased during the first four weeks. A similar response was observed in the group receiving ranitidine. After administration at a single dose of 300 mg in the evening, nizatidine proved to be at least as effective and safe as 300 mg of ranitidine administered in the same way, with respect both to ulcer healing and symptom response.

[Comparison of methods for the identification of Campylobacter pylori in gastric biopsies of patients with dyspepsia]

Campylobacter pylori has been associated with gastro-duodenal inflammatory disease. Ninety-five adults with dyspepsia were examined for the presence of C. pylori in the gastric antrum and near gastric or duodenal ulcers (when present) by means of culture, Gram and acridine orange stains, and urease activity of biopsies. C. pylori was identified from 51 out of 67 patients with chronic gastritis, from 9 out of 9 patients with duodenal ulcer, and from 8 out of 10 patients with gastric ulcer. Acridine orange stain revealed the highest number of positive cases, followed by culture, Gram stain and urease test. The latter showed a 100% specificity when carried out with a selective urea broth containing colistin, trimethoprim, vancomycin and amphotericin B. It has to be considered a further diagnostic tool which enables clinicians and microbiologists to diagnose the etiology of a dyspeptic syndrome even at the patient's bedside.

Short-term treatment of reflux oesophagitis with ranitidine 300 mg nocte. Italian multicentre study

A multicentre study involving 9 Italian institutions was carried out to compare the efficacy and safety of ranitidine 150 mg b.i.d. and ranitidine 300 mg nocte in the treatment of reflux oesophagitis. 117 patients with histologically proven oesophagitis were randomly allocated to two comparable treatment groups. Efficacy and reliability were evaluated by clinical and laboratory tests at the beginning of the study, and at 3 and 6 weeks; endoscopy and biopsies were performed at the beginning and at 6 weeks. Treatment with ranitidine for 6 weeks led to total disappearance of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms in 60% of patients, with percentages of partial improvement varying between 85% and 95% of cases. Improvement in the results of endoscopic examination was 85%, of which 55% were cured. Microscopic examination revealed an improvement of 36% and 44%, with a cure rate of 18% and 26% respectively. With regard neither to the regression of symptoms nor to the macroscopic and microscopic inflammation of the oesophageal mucosa did statistical examination show significant differences in the therapeutic efficacy of ranitidine 150 mg b.i.d. or 300 mg nocte for treatment of reflux oesophagitis.

Comparison of once-daily bedtime administration of famotidine and ranitidine in the short-term treatment of duodenal ulcer. A multicenter, double-blind, controlled study

A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled study was conducted in 234 duodenal ulcer patients to compare the efficacy and safety of the H2-receptor antagonists famotidine and ranitidine in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. Patients received 40 mg famotidine (119 patients) or 300 mg ranitidine (115 patients) once daily at bedtime for 4 weeks. If ulcer lesions persisted, treatment was extended to 6 weeks. Efficacy was assessed by relief of symptoms and endoscopic findings of ulcer healing. Safety was determined on the basis of reports of side effects, results of laboratory tests, and, in selected patients, changes in plasma levels of hormones. The 4- and 6-week healing rates achieved with famotidine were 76% and 91%, respectively, and with ranitidine they were 76% and 87%, respectively; the differences in healing rates for the two drugs were not statistically significant. Similarly, both drugs provided satisfactory relief of pain and dyspeptic symptoms. However, famotidine produced significantly (P less than 0.05) greater relief of postprandial fullness and heartburn. The incidence of untoward effects was low in both treatment groups, and abnormal results in laboratory tests were observed in only one patient, a chronic alcoholic receiving famotidine, who withdrew from the study because of a slight elevation in serum transaminase levels. One patient in the ranitidine treatment group dropped out of the study because of a generalized urticarial rash; however, a causal relationship between drug and effect could not be established. The authors conclude that famotidine may be regarded as the best alternative to ranitidine in the treatment of duodenal ulcer.

Comparison between ranitidine 150 mg b.d. and ranitidine 300 mg nocte in the treatment of duodenal ulcer

A multicenter trial was undertaken to assess the clinical usefulness of a single night-time dose of ranitidine in the short-term healing of duodenal ulcer. 384 patients with endoscopically diagnosed duodenal ulcer were randomly allocated to treatment with ranitidine either 150 mg b.d. or 300 mg as a single night-time dose for four weeks. The patients not healed after four weeks were again treated for four weeks. Of the 356 patients who completed the study, according to the protocol, 148 of 176 (84.1%) recovered on ranitidine 150 mg b.d. and 147 of 180 (81.7%) recovered on 300 mg nocte after four weeks. The healing rates increased to 95.8% and 94.8% respectively after four more weeks. Ulcer symptoms were rapidly reduced with no significant differences between the two treatment groups. There were no unwanted effects in either group and no significant abnormal biochemical or hematological changes. The results of this study support the hypothesis that ranitidine 300 mg given as one night-time dose and ranitidine 150 mg b.d. are equally effective. Ranitidine 300 mg once daily in a clinical practice may be advantageous to the patient.

Fenoverine: smooth muscle synchronizer for the management of gastro-intestinal conditions. II. A trimebutine-controlled, double-blind, crossover clinical evaluation

A double-blind, crossover trial was carried out in 40 in-patients with gastro-intestinal spasmodic syndromes to compare the effectiveness and tolerance of fenoverine and trimebutine. Patients were allocated at random to receive either 100 mg fenoverine or 150 mg trimebutine 3-times daily for 20 days and were then crossed over, without a wash-out period, to the alternative medication for a further 20 days. After the first dose, pain severity was monitored over 4 hours and changes in intensity compared between groups. During the two 20-day periods, the proportion of patients in complete or almost complete remission was monitored at 10-day intervals, and the pooled data similarly compared. At the end of the 40-day trial period, patients stated their preference for one or other treatment, and the relevant data were processed by sequential analysis. Subjective signs of adverse effects were monitored by questioning every 10 days, and haematology and haematochemistry before and after each phase of the study. The results showed that fenoverine produced significantly greater pain relief after a single dose in comparison with trimebutine over the 4 hours of observation. Similarly, it gave significantly more favourable clinical results after both the 10th and 20th day of treatment. Finally, according to the patients' preference, fenoverine was significantly preferred (p less than 0.05) in comparison with trimebutine. Neither treatment was associated with the onset of signs of possible adverse reactions, either subjective or objective.

Double-blind preference and compliance multicentre study in osteoarthritis: once-a-day treatment

Two-hundred-and-three female patients (mean age: 58 yrs; SD: 8.2 yrs) suffering from osteoarthritis entered this late phase IV multicentre, stratified according to previous therapy (e.g. ketoprofen, naproxen, aspirin, indomethacin or indoprofen), randomized, double-blind, between within-patient trial of 2-week duration. Each patient received either diclofenac SR 100 mg/day (D), piroxicam 20 mg/day (P), or placebo (P1 by oral route. Clinical evaluation (functional class; pain assessment; osteoarthritic condition; joint motility and stiffness) was performed at entry, as well as after the first and the second week. Patient compliance and reported signs and symptoms were recorded after the first week and at the end of the trial. Patient preference, as regards previous therapy, and global evaluation (both by the physicians and the patients) were checked at the end of the trial. The clinical evaluation showed a superiority of D and P over P1. No difference was seen between the two active drugs. Placebo effect was very strong. Global evaluation was significantly in favour of D and P. Patient compliance was extremely good (greater than or equal to 95%). Diclofenac was preferred to naproxen, aspirin and indomethacin, while piroxicam and placebo were preferred only to aspirin. The tolerability of the two active drugs was good and comparable. A significantly lower number of patients complaining of unwanted effects (u.e.) was detected in the placebo group. The number of patients withdrawn for u.e. was similar in the three trial groups.

Effect of dihydroxydibutylether on the lithogenic index of patients with cholesterol gallstones

Daily administration of 900 mg dihydroxydibutylether (DHBE) produced a significant reduction of lithogenic index in patients with cholesterol gallstones. After treatment with placebo, in the same subjects the lithogenic index rises significantly. The activity of DHBE is not casual.

[Serum bile acids in acute hepatitis. Clinical observations]

Diagnostic and prognostic significance of total bile acids concentrations has been evaluated in 26 patients with acute viral hepatitis. The levels of fasting and post-prandial blood cholates have been compared with the values found in normal subjects, in 20 patients with extrahepatic pathology and in 10 cases of non-viral icteric diseases. A remarkable rise in serum bile acids concentration has been showed in acute stage of hepatitis; the level of cholates is significantly higher in cholangitic jaundice, but difference is not found in respect of patients with extrahepatic cholestasis. The improvement of disease decreases the serum bile acids concentration; the decrease going on at the same rate of serum transaminases lowering but preceding the serum bilirubin one. No difference was found between fasting and post-prandial blood cholates. In conclusion, serum bile acids concentration has no diagnostic value in hepatitis, nevertheless it seems an useful test for monitoring the course of the hepatitic disease.

Preliminary results on the action of dihydroxydibutylether on the lithogenic index of patients with calculosis of the gall-bladder

Oral administration of 900 mg daily of dihydroxydibutylether to patients with cholesterol stones in the gall-bladder, reduced the lithogenic index of the bile, whose mean value shifted from 1.64 to 1.03 (p less than 0.01) after 20 days of treatment. Reduction of lithogenic index must be ascribed exclusively to the reduced biliary concentration of cholesterol.

Influence of chenodeoxycholic acid on serum triglycerides in patients with primary hypertriglyceridemia

Administration of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) to patients with primary hypertriglyceridemia caused the diminution of serum triglyceride concentrations of 54.31% and 46.04% at dosages of 500 mg/day and of 250 mg/day, respectively. Results after 1 month of treatment with 250 mg/day are not statistically different from those obtained with 500 mg/day. Administration of CDCA did not change the serum cholesterol, SGOT, SGPT, total bilirubin, gammaGT or alkaline phosphatase levels.

The hypotriglyceridemic effect of chenodeoxycholic acid in type IV hyperlipemia

The effect of chenodeoxycholic acid on the fasting serum triglycerides was studied in 30 patients with type IV hyperlipemia and in 20 patients with primary gout and associated endogenous hypertriglyceridemia, the triglycerides being determined before treatment and at monthly intervals for three months. Chenodeoxycholic acid treatment resulted in a significant lowering of the serum triglycerides in both groups of patients. The drug was well tolerated and there were no undesirable side-effects. Although the mechanism of action is still not known, the drug is thought to reduce triglyceride synthesis in the liver. Chenodeoxycholic acid appears to be electively indicated in type IV hyperlipemia treatment.

[Results and prospects of therapy of type IV dyslipidemia with chenic acid]

Administration of 500 mg/day chenodeoxycholic acid for 60 days in a series of 44 patients with type IV dyslipidaemia led to gradual normalisation of triglycerides by the end of the treatment. Falls were greater in subjects with initially higher values, but were independent of age, sex, weight and type of diet. Further falls were obtained by repeating the treatment in some cases when prebetalipoproteins rose again. Decreases were already evident by the 5th day (about 24%) and could be obtained with only 4 mg/Kg/day. The rapid effect of the acid and its specific action on prebetalipoproteins were demonstrated by examination of lipid curves after a glyco-lipid load with and without pretreatment with chenic acid. Encouragement of the shunt of triacylglycerols towards the phosphoglycerides during hepatic synthesis of triglycerides is put forward as the most likely mechanism of action in endogenous hyper-triglyceridaemia. The chemical composition of bile is interfered with, which may explain why cholesterol lithiasis is significantly more common in type IV dyslipidaemia than in other forms and in controls, as shown by statistical analysis.