Open AccessRandomized Controlled Clinical Trial on Value of Domperidone in Functional Abdominal Pain in Children
Author(s) -
Karunanayake Amaranath,
Devanarayairanga M.,
Silva Asita,
Gunawardena Sampath,
Rajindrajith Shaman
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1536-4801
pISSN - 0277-2116
DOI - 10.1097/mpg.0000000000001819
Subject(s) - domperidone , medicine , placebo , abdominal pain , randomized controlled trial , adverse effect , placebo controlled study , clinical trial , surgery , double blind , dopamine , alternative medicine , pathology
Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of domperidone on children with abdominal pain predominant functional gastrointestinal disorders (AP‐FGIDs). Methods: One hundred children (aged 5–12 years) fulfilling Rome III criteria for AP‐FGIDs were randomized into 8 weeks of domperidone or placebo treatment. Primary outcomes defined were cure and patient‐reported general improvement. Secondary outcomes were reduction in the severity of abdominal pain and increase in gastric motility. Patients were followed up for 6 months. Results: Eighty‐nine (42 in placebo group, 47 in domperidone group) completed the trial at 8 weeks. Seventy‐nine completed the 6‐month follow‐up. When primary outcomes were assessed at 8 weeks, 37 (74%) in the domperidone group and 25 (50%) in the placebo group showed patient‐reported general improvement ( P = 0.013), whereas no significant difference was observed in cure (22 [44%] vs 14 [28%] P = 0.09). At 6‐month follow‐up 30 (60%) in the domperidone group and 19 (38%) in the placebo group reported cure ( P = 0.028), whereas 44 (88%) in the domperidone group and 33 (66%) in the placebo group showed patient‐reported general improvement ( P = 0.009). When assessing secondary outcomes at 8 weeks, the domperidone group reported significant reduction in the severity of abdominal pain (54.1% vs 24.7%, P = 0.008) and an increase in the antral motility index (27.5% vs 7.2%, P = 0.029). None of the patients reported intervention‐related adverse effects. Conclusions: Domperidone may be a safe and effective therapeutic modality to achieve a lasting remission of symptoms in children with AP‐FGIDs.