Abstract
In a double-blind, crossover study, 10 cirrhotic patients (Child B rating) with steatorrhoea (daily output of faecal fat > 8 g) and dyspepsia were placed on a controlled diet for 14 days. Patients then received 150 mg ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) or placebo twice daily for 14 days. Faecal fat excretion was reduced from 14.7 to 10.6 g/day by UDCA and dyspepsia symptom scores were also reduced. Serum aspartate aminotransferase concentrations declined significantly (P < 0.02) following UDCA treatment, whereas serum bile acid levels increased from 35 to 40.5 μM and the percentage of UDCA increased to 22%. It is concluded that UDCA may be useful for many of the symptoms present in patients with liver cirrhosis.
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