Effectiveness of rebamipide in treatment of erosions in stomach mucosa

Abstract

The aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of the drug Rebamipide-SZ when used in combination with proton pump inhibitors in the treatment of erosive changes in the gastric mucosa.Materials and methods. 40 patients were monitored who had erosive lesions of the stomach: 20 patients (group 1) with erosive gastritis not associated with Helicobacter pylori, 20 patients (group 2) with erosive changes in the gastric mucosa while taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Before the start of therapy and after the end of treatment, patients underwent a comprehensive examination: assessment of complaints according to the survey data, assessment of the severity of dyspepsia on the GIS scale, assessment of gastroenterological complaints on the GSRS scale, assessment of the effectiveness of treatment on the visual-analog scales of abdominal pain and general well-being, assessment of quality of life (questionnaire SF-36), upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy with biopsy (one biopsy from the stomach body, one biopsy from the antrum of the stomach) for verification of Helicobacter pylori infection (rapid urease test) and histological examination, assessment of side effects. All patients were prescribed therapy: Rebamipide-SZ one tablet three times a day after meals for a month and a proton pump inhibitor (rabeprazole) 20 mg two times a day for 15–30 minutes before meals for a month. Results. There was a complete relief of epigastric pain and a significant decrease or complete relief of dyspeptic complaints. When assessing the dynamics of endoscopic changes after usage of Rebamipide-SZ therapy, there was a regression of hyperemia of the gastric mucosa and complete epithelization of erosions in the stomach in almost all patients. Histological analysis of the gastric mucosa before and after treatment showed a decrease in the severity of acute and chronic inflammatory changes. There were no adverse events, no new complaints, no negative changes in clinical and biochemical blood tests during treatment. No allergic reactions were observed.Conclusion. The intake of Rebamipide-SZ is highly effective and safe for patients with various etiology erosive lesions of the gastric mucosa, including those caused by taking NSAIDs. Rebamipide-SZ can be recommended for course use in the complex therapy of patients with various pathologies of the upper gastrointestinal tract as a gastroprotective agent that helps restore the permeability of the gastric mucosa.