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Optimized nonbismuth quadruple therapies cure most patients with Helicobacter pylori infection in populations with high rates of antibiotic resistance

Molina-Infante J, Romano M, Fernandez-Bermejo M, Federico A, Gravina AG, Pozzati L, Garcia-Abadia E, Vinagre-Rodriguez G et al.

Gastroenterology, 2013

343 participants

Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Strategies to eradicate Helicobacter pylori infection could be improved by suppressing acid and extending the duration of therapy (optimization). We compared the efficacy of 2 different optimized nonbismuth quadruple regimens in areas of high resistance to antimicrobial agents.

METHODS: We performed a prospective noninferiority multicenter trial in which 343 consecutive individuals with H pylori infection were assigned randomly to groups given hybrid therapy (40 mg omeprazole and 1 g amoxicillin, twice daily for 14 days; 500 mg clarithromycin and 500 mg nitroimidazole were added, twice daily for the final 7 days) or concomitant therapy (same 4 drugs taken concurrently, twice daily for 14 days). We assessed bacterial resistance to these drugs in a subset of patients using the E-test. Efficacy, side effects, and compliance were determined.

RESULTS: In per-protocol analysis, rates of eradication for hybrid and concomitant therapies were 92% (95% confidence interval [CI], 87%-95%) and 96.1% (95% CI, 93%-99%), respectively (P = .07). In intention-to-treat analysis, rates were 90% (95% CI, 86%-93%) and 91.7% (95% CI, 87%-95%), respectively (P = .35). Almost all patients (95.5%) were fully compliant; 23.5% of patients had H pylori strains that were resistant to clarithromycin (Italy, 26%; Spain, 19.5%), 33% were resistant to metronidazole (Italy, 33%; Spain, 34%), and 8.8% were resistant to both drugs (Italy, 7.1%; Spain, 11.5%). Side effects (only mild) were…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 343 participants or records.

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