Pirenzepine in Erosive Duodenitis

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Abstract
Fifty-five outpatients with chronic duodenal erosions and no previous ulcer history were treated, in a double-blind fashion, with either pirenzepine (50 mg twice daily) or ranitidine (150 mg twice daily) for 6 weeks. The drugs were equally effective in inducing symptomatic relief. At endoscopic control, 70.4% of subjects in the pirenzepine group and 39.3% of ranitidine-treated patients showed complete healing (p < 0.05). The results suggest that acid secretion is not an important factor in the pathogenesis of erosive duodenitis and that other mechanisms (such as impaired mucosal blood flow) must be considered.