[Furazolidone and cimetidine in patients with active duodenal ulcer and Helicobacter pylori in the gastric antrum].

In order to assess the effect of furazolidone on duodenal ulcer disease and Helicobacter pylori (Hp), a double-blind, double-dummy, randomized, prospective pilot study comparing furazolidone and cimetidine was carried out in 31 antral Hp positive patients with endoscopically proven active duodenal ulcer. Clinical, endoscopical, bacteriological and histological studies were done before and at four weeks of the study in all patients. If the ulcer was not healed, the treatment was extended for a further four weeks and all the procedures repeated. The healed ulcer patients were followed-up and re-endoscoped, regardless the presence of symptomatology, at least at 3 and 6mo after the end of treatment. It was observed that furazolidone cleared Hp (18% x 0%), healed the ulcer (91% x 87%) and reduced the relapse rate (30% x 92%; p < 0.025).