Continuous intravenous infusion of omeprazole in elderly patients with peptic ulcer bleeding. Results of a placebo-controlled multicenter study

Scand J Gastroenterol. 1997 Apr;32(4):328-33. doi: 10.3109/00365529709007680.

Abstract

Background: Does profound acid inhibition by continuous infusion of omeprazole for 72 h reduce further bleeding in elderly patients with peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB)?

Methods: Three hundred and thirty-three patients > or = 60 years old with PUB were randomized to omeprazole (80 mg + mg/h) or placebo as continuous infusion for 72 h. From day 4 to 21 all patients received 20 mg omeprazole orally once daily.

Results: When evaluated on day 3, the primary variable 'overall outcome' (based on an ordinal ranking scale; see Study variables) (P = 0.017) and the secondary variables, surgery (P = 0.003), degree (P = 0.004) and duration of bleeding (P = 0.003) all favored the omeprazole group. Blood transfusions, need for endoscopic treatment, and mortality were not statistically different. On follow-up, by day 21, the mortality in the group initially receiving intravenous omeprazole was 6.9%, while the intravenous placebo group showed an extremely low mortality, 0.6%.

Conclusion: Three days' infusion of omeprazole improved overall outcome and reduced need for intervention in PUB patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Ulcer Agents / therapeutic use
  • Blood Transfusion
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Duodenal Ulcer / complications*
  • Female
  • Hemostasis, Endoscopic
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Omeprazole / administration & dosage*
  • Omeprazole / therapeutic use
  • Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage / drug therapy*
  • Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage / mortality
  • Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage / therapy
  • Stomach Ulcer / complications*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Ulcer Agents
  • Omeprazole