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Evidence summaries

Non-Surgical Interventions for Late Radiation Proctitis

Rectal sucralfate and adding metronidazole to an anti-inflammatory regimen might possibly provide some benefit, although there is no evidence from controlled trials. Level of evidence: "D"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 6 studies with a total of 184 subjects. Rectal sucralfate showed greater clinical improvement for proctitis than anti-inflammatories (OR 14,0, 95% CI 1.46 to 134 in one study), though no significant difference was seen in endoscopic improvement (OR 2.74, 95% CI 0.64 to 11.76). The addition of metronidazole to the anti-inflammatory regimen also appeared to improve the response rate, as measured by the reduction in rectal bleeding, diarrhoea, erythema and ulceration (1 study).

    References

    • Denton A, Forbes A, Andreyev J, Maher EJ. Non surgical interventions for late radiation proctitis in patients who have received radical radiotherapy to the pelvis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2002;(1):CD003455. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords