Crohn's disease: ileal resection: cimetidine reduced the volume of diarrhoea.

Clinical bottom line (level 1b)

  1. Patients with quiescent Crohn's disease and diarrhoea from extensive ileal resection, who took cimetidine had a clinically-useful reduction in stool volume (NNT = 1 at 4 days) .
Aly et al: Acta Medical Scandinavia 1980; 207: 119-122
Expires May 2003

The study

Double-blinded concealed randomised cross-over trial without intention-to-treat
Setting: two acute hospitals, Sweden

10 patients (aged range 26 to 46 years; mean 32, 60% female) quiescent Crohn's disease who had diarrhoea following extensive small bowel resection (> 6 m)
Note:
  • Study periods were separated by 14 days.


    • Control Group: (n = 10, 10 analysed): placebo
    Experimental Group: (n = 10, 10 analysed): cimetidine 400 mg four times daily po for seven days
    All patients were on a diet in which fat constituted < 35% energy supply.
    100% followed for 28 days

    The evidence

    Outcome Time to outcome CEREERRRR
    (95% CI)    		ARR
    (95% CI)    		NNT
    (95% CI)
    no reduction in diarrhoea 4 days 10
    (100%)    		 0
    (0.00%)    		 100%
    (% to %)    		 100%
    (74% to 100%)    		 1
    (1 to 1)

  • The mean reduction in stool volume was 22%.

    • Citation

    1. Aly A, Barany F, Kollberg B, et al: Effect of an H2-receptor blocking agent on diarrhoeas after extensive small bowel resection in Crohn's disease. Acta Medical Scandinavia 1980; 207: 119-122
    Search Terms: Crohn* in Cochrane
    Contributor: Chris Ball and Clare Wotton, October 2000
    Reviewer:

    Clinical Question.
    Patient quiescent Crohn's disease and diarrhoea from extensive ileal resection
    Intervention or Exposure cimetidine
    Comparison placebo
    Outcome reduction in stool volume