Sucralfate gel for symptomatic chronic gastritis: multicentre comparative trial versus sucralfate suspension.

The object of this study was to compare the efficacy of a new sucralfate gel formulation and the standard sucralfate suspension in the treatment of chronic gastritis. This multicentre randomized trial included 368 dyspeptic patients with endoscopic features of histologically confirmed chronic gastritis. Patients were randomized to a six week treatment with either 1 g bid sucralfate gel or 1 g qid sucralfate suspension. Endoscopic and histological assessment plus urease test for Helicobacter pylori were performed at 0 and 6 weeks. Clinical evaluation of symptoms were obtained at 0, 3 and 6 weeks. Results showed that both treatments were equally effective in promoting symptom relief, in inducing endoscopic and histological healing or in the improvement of the lesions. Therefore sucralfate gel is as effective as the standard preparation in the treatment of chronic gastritis, with the advantage that its b.i.d. administration improves patients' compliance.