The effect of Helicobacter pylori retreatment with ranitidine bismuth citrate, clarithromycin, and metronidazole depends on the first-line therapy.

Background: Helicobacter pylori eradication rates seem to decrease. This study evaluates the effect of retreatment with ranitidine bismuth citrate (RBC) 400 mg B.I.

Patients with functional dyspepsia responding to omeprazole have a characteristic gastro-oesophageal reflux pattern.

Background: The effect of acid secretion inhibitors in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) is equivocal. One previous trial showed an effect in patients with a characteristic gastro-oesophageal reflux pattern. This double-blind trial compares the number of reflux episodes in responders and non-responders to omeprazole.

The symptomatic effect of cisapride in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and constipation.

Background: Cisapride improves symptoms in patients with idiopathic constipation. This trial compares the effect of cisapride with that of placebo in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and constipation.

Methods: Seventy patients were randomized to 12 weeks' treatment with 5 mg cisapride three times daily or placebo in a double-blind trial.

The effect of cisapride in maintaining symptomatic remission in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Background: Successful treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) has traditionally been assessed as healing of reflux oesophagitis, which may not be relevant in patients with moderate disease. In these patients symptom relief and patient satisfaction with therapy are of fundamental importance. Cisapride has well-documented prokinetic effects and may be well suited for long-term therapy of GORD, but its effectiveness in purely symptomatic treatment is unknown.

Ranitidine effectively relieves symptoms in a subset of patients with functional dyspepsia.

Background: Acid secretion inhibitors are of dubious value to most patients with functional dyspepsia but might be effective in a subset. The aims of the trial were to compare the effect of ranitidine with that of placebo in selected subsets of patients.

Methods: Two hundred and twenty-six patients with functional dyspepsia were included in a double-blind multi-crossover (MCO) trial.