Symptomatic Improvement of Gastroduodenal Crohn’s Disease with Omeprazole

Abstract

Four patients with ileal Crohn’s disease presented with abdominal pain aggravated by food, a mean weight loss of 5.5 kg (range 4 to 7) and ulceration of the antrum and/or duodenum at gastroscnpy, without radiological features of mechanical obstruction . The endoscopic and histological appearance of the ulcers was consistent with Crohn's disease. Omeprazole 40 mg daily was administered, without other drugs, and after three days of therapy patients were asymptomatic. After eight weeks of omeprazole, a mean weight gain of 6 kg (range 3 to 10) had occurred and the drug was withdrawn. One patient remained well and three patients relapsed, but all responded to long term omeprazole for up to three years. Follow-up endoscopies have indicated healing in one patient, partial healing in two patients and no change in one patient. Omeprazole may be of value in the symptomatic management of patients with gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease.