Clinical trial: oral prednisolone metasulfobenzoate (Predocol) vs. oral prednisolone for active ulcerative colitis.

Background: Systemic corticosteroids are effective in ulcerative colitis but commonly cause side effects.

Aim: To compare the safety and efficacy of a sparingly absorbed formulation of prednisolone metasulfobenzoate (Predocol) with a conventional tapering course of oral prednisolone.

Method: In a double-blind randomized study, 59 active ulcerative colitis patients received Predocol 40 mg/day for 6 months, 61 received Predocol 60 mg/day for 6 months and 61 received prednisolone 40 mg/day for 2 weeks, tapered to week 8, followed by placebo until 6 months.

Management of low and high-grade dysplasia in inflammatory bowel disease: the gastroenterologists' perspective and current practice in the United Kingdom.

Background: Colonic dysplasia is a precursor to colorectal cancer (CRC) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There is a risk of progression of both low-grade dysplasia (LGD) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD) to CRC over 5 years. The current British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines advocate colectomy when possible or at least colonoscopic surveillance every 6 months.

Reflux symptom relief with omeprazole in patients without unequivocal oesophagitis.

Background: As many as 50% of patients with reflux symptoms have no endoscopic evidence of oesophagitis. This multicentre study was designed to assess symptom relief after omeprazole 20 mg once daily in patients with symptoms typical of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease but without endoscopic evidence of oesophagitis.

Methods: Patients (n = 209) were randomized in a double-blind study to receive either omeprazole 20 mg once daily (n = 98) or placebo (n = 111) for 4 weeks.

A comparison of omeprazole and ranitidine in the prevention of recurrence of benign esophageal stricture. Restore Investigator Group.

Background/aims: Dilatation combined with subsequent pharmacological control of gastroesophageal reflux represents a logical but poorly documented approach to the management of benign esophageal stricture. This large trial (366 patients) aimed to assess whether omeprazole as the most effective available medication for gastroesophageal reflux disease prevents recurrent stricture formation.

Methods: Patients (n = 366) were randomized in a double-blind study to undergo either omeprazole (20 mg once daily; 180 evaluable patients) or ranitidine therapy (150 mg twice daily; 185 evaluable patients) for 1 year after dilatation to 12-18-mm diameter (36-54F gauge).