Short report: effect of ranitidine on duodenal ulcer healing in patients with cirrhosis of the liver.

The effect of ranitidine (300 mg daily) on the healing of acute duodenal ulcer was investigated in patients with and without cirrhosis of the liver. Of the 109 patients who entered the study, two patients from each group were excluded. Healing rates after 4 and 8 weeks were significantly different between patients with cirrhosis and controls (4- and 8-week healing rates in cirrhotics and non-cirrhotics: 49 and 69%, and 71 and 91%, respectively). This study demonstrates that duodenal ulcer healing is delayed in patients with cirrhosis.