Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared high-dose with non-high-dose proton pump inhibitors in the treatment of endoscopically confirmed bleeding peptic ulcers after endoscopic intervention were eligible for inclusion. Trials were required to report rates of re-bleeding, surgical intervention or mortality (in-hospital or 30-day); the primary outcome was endoscopy-confirmed recurrent ulcer bleeding within 30 days of randomisation. High-dose proton pump inhibitors were defined as a dose equivalent to an 80mg bolus of omeprazole or pantoprazole followed by a continuous intravenous infusion at 8mg/hour for 72 hours, or as a continuous infusion where the dose exceeded 192mg/day.
Included trials used oral or intravenous omeprazole or pantoprazole for both high-dose and non-high-dose groups. The mean ages of patients in included trials ranged from 52.7 to 66.5 years, and the proportion of males ranged from 59.9 to 76.3%.
It appeared that two reviewers independently performed the study selection.