Five randomised trials examining a total of 848 patients were included.
Healing at 4 weeks: There was a significant difference in favour of lansoprazole over ranitidine or famotidine. Mean difference of 10% (85% compared with 75%, P<0.01). DerSimonian and Laird method: rate difference = 0.100 (P<0.01). Homogeneity P=0.39. Peto's method: difference in rates between lansoprazole and an H2-blocker showed an odds ratio of 2.27 (P<0.01).
Healing at 2 weeks: lansoprazole was found to be significantly more effective than rantidine or famotidine. The mean difference was 20% (60% compared with 40%) DerSimonian and Laird: rate difference = 0.199 (P<0.01). Peto's method: odds ratio 2.26 (P<0.01).
No pain at 4 weeks: No significant difference between lansoprazole and the H2- blockers was found. DerSimonian and Laird: rate difference = 0.001 (P=0.94). Peto's method: odds ratio 1.01 (P=0.96).
No pain at 2 weeks: The percentage of patients free of pain at 2 weeks showed a significant difference in favour of lansoprazole by a mean value of 8% (P<0.02). DerSimonian and Laird: rate difference = 0.081 (P=0.02). Peto's method: odds ratio 1.73 (P<0.01).