A study was designed to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) prior to and after the administration of itopride hydrochloride or ranitidine in patients with functional dyspepsia.

Eighteen functional dyspepsia patients were recruited in the study. The HRQoL was assessed using two systems - the 36 item short form of the Medical Outcome Study Questionnaire (SF-36) and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). HRQoL was evaluated prior to drug administration, and two, four, and eight weeks after drug administration.

Following the administration of itopride hydrochloride, there were significant improvements in the SF-36 mental health scale and GSRS indigestion syndrome score and constipation syndrome score, in comparison with before drug administration (p < 0.05).

Following ranitidine administration, there was significant improvement in the GSRS reflux syndrome score, compared to before administration (p < 0.05).

It was concluded that while itopride hydrochloride is beneficial for the treatment of dysmotility-type functional dyspepsia, ranitidine appears to be helpful in ulcer-type functional dyspepsia.

Source: Chiba T, Tokunaga Y, Ikeda K, et al. Effects of itopride hydrochloride and ranitidine in patients with functional dyspepsia: comparison between prokinetic and acid suppression therapies. Hepatogastroenterology 2007;54(78):1878-81.