Influence of smoking on healing rate of duodenal ulcer in response to cimetidine or high-dose antacid

Fifty consecutive patients with symptomatic endoscopically proven duodenal ulcer were randomized double-blind to Mylanta II or cimetidine treatment schedules. Smoking habits were noted, but patients were not advised to alter these. Healing was determined by reendoscopy at 6 wk. Eighty percent of patients on active cimetidine and 52% on active Mylanta II had healed at 6 wk (not significant); 85% of nonsmokers healed compared to 44% of smokers (p < 0.03). In smokers, cimetidine achieved healing in 50%, Mylanta II in 39% (not significant); while in nonsmokers, cimetidine achieved healing in 100%, Mylanta II in 67% (not significant). These results indicate a significant and equally adverse effect of smoking on the healing rate of duodenal ulcer achieved by either cimetidine or Mylanta II.