Abstract | AIM: METHODS: In our multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, liver cirrhosis patients who showed insufficient response to conventional diuretics were randomly assigned to 7-day administration of either tolvaptan at 7.5 mg/day or placebo as an add-on therapy to conventional diuretics. The primary outcome was change in bodyweight from baseline. RESULTS: Of 164 eligible patients, 84 were assigned to tolvaptan and 80 to placebo. Change in bodyweight from baseline on the final dosing day was -0.44 kg (standard deviation [SD], 1.93) in the placebo group and -1.95 kg (SD, 1.77) in the tolvaptan group (P < 0.0001). Improvement rates for lower limb edema and ascites-related clinical symptoms were higher with tolvaptan than with placebo. Even in patients with low serum albumin (<2.5 g/dL), decrease in bodyweight was greater with tolvaptan than with placebo (P = 0.0163). In addition, tolvaptan significantly increased serum sodium concentration from baseline. CONCLUSION:
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Authors | Isao Sakaida, Seiji Kawazoe, Kozo Kajimura, Takafumi Saito, Chiaki Okuse, Koichi Takaguchi, Mitsuru Okada, Kiwamu Okita, ASCITES-DOUBLEBLIND Study Group |
Journal | Hepatology research : the official journal of the Japan Society of Hepatology
(Hepatol Res)
Vol. 44
Issue 1
Pg. 73-82
(Jan 2014)
ISSN: 1386-6346 [Print] Netherlands |
PMID | 23551935
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | © 2013 The Japan Society of Hepatology. |