In the journal, BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, the authors of the study found that taking two capsules of 250 mg curcumin, four times daily was just as good as taking a 20 mg tablet of Prilosec. ~ Dr. Broussard
October 02, 2023
BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine
TAKE-HOME MESSAGE
- This double-blind randomised trial evaluated the efficacy of curcumin compared with omeprazole for the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia. A total of 206 patients were treated with curcumin, omeprazole, or curcumin plus omeprazole. The patients in the three groups reported significant symptomatic improvement, and there were no significant differences among the three groups with respect to the improvement of symptoms. Of note, no synergistic effect was observed between omeprazole and curcumin.
- These findings suggest that curcumin is a potential option for treating patients with functional dyspepsia. However, further studies evaluating long-term outcomes and adverse events are needed.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of curcumin versus omeprazole in improving patient reported outcomes in people with dyspepsia.
DESIGN
Randomised, double blind controlled trial, with central randomisation.
SETTING
Thai traditional medicine hospital, district hospital, and university hospitals in Thailand.
PARTICIPANTS
Participants with a diagnosis of functional dyspepsia.
INTERVENTIONS
The interventions were curcumin alone (C), omeprazole alone (O), or curcumin plus omeprazole (C+O). Patients in the combination group received two capsules of 250 mg curcumin, four times daily, and one capsule of 20 mg omeprazole once daily for 28 days.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Functional dyspepsia symptoms on days 28 and 56 were assessed using the Severity of Dyspepsia Assessment (SODA) score. Secondary outcomes were the occurrence of adverse events and serious adverse events.
RESULTS
206 patients were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to one of the three groups; 151 patients completed the study. Demographic data (age 49.7±11.9 years; women 73.4%), clinical characteristics and baseline dyspepsia scores were comparable between the three groups. Significant improvements were observed in SODA scores on day 28 in the pain (-4.83, -5.46 and -6.22), non-pain (-2.22, -2.32 and -2.31) and satisfaction (0.39, 0.79 and 0.60) categories for the C+O, C, and O groups, respectively. These improvements were enhanced on day 56 in the pain (-7.19, -8.07 and -8.85), non-pain (-4.09, -4.12 and -3.71) and satisfaction (0.78, 1.07, and 0.81) categories in the C+O, C, and O groups, respectively. No significant differences were observed among the three groups and no serious adverse events occurred.
CONCLUSION
Curcumin and omeprazole had comparable efficacy for functional dyspepsia with no obvious synergistic effect.