Clinical Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2003. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Mar 15, 2003; 9(3): 609-611
Published online Mar 15, 2003. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i3.609
Esophageal ulceration complicating doxycycline therapy
Mohammad A. Al-Mofarreh, Ibrahim A. Al Mofleh
Mohammad A. Al-Mofarreh, Consultant Physician & Gastroenterologist, Poly Clinic, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Ibrahim A. Al Mofleh, Professor of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Prof. Ibrahim A. Al Mofleh, Gastroenterology Div. & Endoscopy Unit, College of Medicine, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2925 (59), Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia. iamofleh@yahoo.com
Telephone: +966-1-4671215 Fax: +966-1-4671217
Received: June 27, 2002
Revised: July 15, 2002
Accepted: July 27, 2002
Published online: March 15, 2003
Abstract

AIM: To report present state of iatrogenic drug-induced esophageal injury (DIEI) induced by medications in a private clinic.

METHODS: Iatrogenic drug-induced esophageal injury (DIEI) induced by medications has been more frequently reported. In a private clinic we encountered 36 cases of esophageal ulcerations complicating doxycycline therapy in a mainly younger Saudi population (median age 29 years).

RESULTS: The most frequent presenting symptoms were odynophagia, retrosternal burning pain and dysphagia (94%, 75% and 56%, respectively). The diagnosis was according to medical history and confirmed by endoscopy in all patients. Beside withdrawal of doxycycline, when feasible, all patients were treated with a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) and a prokinetic. Thirty patients who reported to the clinic after treatment were improved within 1-7 (median 1.7) days.

CONCLUSION: Esophageal ulceration has to be suspected in younger patients with odynophagia, retrosternal burning pain and/or dysphagia during the treatment with doxycycline.

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