Comparative Study of Proton Pump Inhibitors versus H2 Blockers in Peptic Ulcer Disease Management

Introduction: Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is one of the common GI disorders where the disorder requires good acid suppression to mitigate the symptoms and heal the mucosa. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) are known, broadly used treatments, and their preferable clinical performances need additional research. Objective: In order to compare the efficacy of PPIs and H2RAs in the treatment of PUD with respect to symptom relief, ulcer healing, and prevention. Methodology: This comparative study was carried out at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar and a 12-month period was taken in this study. Out of a total of 210 patients with endoscopically confirmed PUD, patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the large control group designated (A) PPIs (n=105) and the other large group designated (B) H2RAs (n=105). Demographics, type of ulcer, presence of Helicobacter pylori, symptom scores (GSRS), healed outcomes, and recurrence were data collected. The statistical analysis was performed in SPSS version 26, and chi-square and t-tests were used. The value p < 0.05 was taken to be statistically significant. Results: There were no differences in baseline characteristics between groups (p > 0.05). At 6 weeks, the percentage of patients with reports of symptom relief was much greater in the PPI group (mean GSRS reduction: 9.6 vs. 7.2; p < 0.001). PPIs had a higher proportion of ulcer healing (89.5% vs. 72.4%; p = 0.002). The rate of recurrence at 3 months was lower in the PPI group (4.8% vs. 16.2%; p = 0.006). Adverse effects were minimal and comparable in the study groups. Conclusion: PPIs are much more effective than H2RAs in the treatment of PUD, providing improved symptom control, greater rates of healing, and reduced recurrence.