Therapeutic success with bismuth-containing sequential and quadruple regimens in Helicobacter pylori eradication

Background and study aims: The success rate of Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] eradication with the classical triple therapy is gradually declining. In this study, we aimed to compare and assess the efficacies of six different eradication regimens including sequential protocols

Patients and methods: Endoscopically confirmed nonulcer dyspepsia patients were enrolled. H. pylori presence was determined either histologically or by a rapid urease test. Treatment-naive patients were randomly assigned to an either one of three 10-day [OAC, OTMB, and OACB] or one of three sequential protocols [OA + OCM, OA + OCMB, and OA + OMDB] [O = omeprazole, A = amoxicillin, C = clarithromycin, T = tetracycline, M = metronidazole, B = bismuth, D = doxycycline]. The eradication was assessed 6-8 weeks after the completion of the treatment by a 14C-urea breath test

Results: In total, 301 patients were included. Fifty-two percent of the participants [n = 157] were female, and the mean age was 44.9 years [range = 18-70]. The intention to treat [ITT] and per protocol [PP] eradication rate for each regimen is as follows: OAC [ITT = 61.2%, PP = 75%], OTMB [83.3%, 87%], OACB [76.5%, 79.6%], OA + OCM [72.3%, 73.9%], OA + OCMB [82.7%, 89.6%], and OA + OMDB [59.3%, 65.3%]. Smoking significantly affected the eradication rate [P = 0.04]

Conclusion: In this study, OTMB and OA + OCMB were significantly superior to the triple therapy and succeeded to reach the eradication rate proposed by the Maastricht consensus [over 80%]. These two bismuth-containing regimens could be considered for first-line therapy in the regions with high clarithromycin resistance

Impaired Gallbladder Motility and Increased Gallbladder Wall Thickness in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Along with the increase in the incidence of NAFLD and associated obesity, an increase in gallbladder disease (GD) has been noted. This has led to the identification of a new disease entity called fatty GD. There is a gap in the literature on the dynamics of gallbladder function in patients with NAFLD. METHODS: An observational case-control study, a total of 50 patients with biopsy proven NAFLD without gallbladder stone/sludge and 38 healthy comparison subjects were enrolled. Fasting, postprandial gallbladder volumes (PGV), gallbladder ejection fraction (GEF), and fasting gallbladder wall thickness (FGWT) were measured by real-time 2-dimensional ultrasonography. RESULTS: Fasting gallbladder wall thickness, fasting gallbladder volumes and PGV were significantly higher in patients with NAFLD than control subjects (P < 0.001, P = 0.006, and P < 0.001, respectively). Gallbladder ejection fraction was significantly lower in the NAFLD group than the controls (P = 0.008). The presence of NAFLD was an independent predictor for GEF, PGV, and FGWT. Also, steatosis grade was an independent predictor for GEF, and GEF was significantly lower in the nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) subgroup than the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Gallbladder dysfunction and increase in gallbladder wall thickness exists in asymptomatic (without stone/sludge and related symptoms) patients with NAFLD and are useful in identifying fatty GD. Measurement of these variables in NAFLD patients may be useful in identifying those at higher risk for GD.

Gallstone Disease Does Not Predict Liver Histology in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We sought to examine whether the presence of gallstone disease (GD) in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with liver fibrosis and histological nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) score. METHODS: We included 441 Turkish patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD. GD was diagnosed in the presence of sonographic evidence of gallstones, echogenic material within the gallbladder with constant shadowing and little or no visualization of the gallbladder or absence of gallbladder at ultrasonography, coupled with a history of cholecystectomy. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients (12.2%) had GD (GD+ subjects). Compared with the GD- subjects, GD+ patients were older, had a higher body mass index and were more likely to be female and have metabolic syndrome. However, GD+ patients did not have a higher risk of advanced fibrosis or definite NASH on histology. After adjustment for potential confounding variables, the prevalence of GD in NAFLD patients was not associated with significant fibrosis (> or =2) (odds ratio [OR], 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53 to 2.21; p=0.68) or definite NASH (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.495 to 2.12; p=0.84). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of GD is not independently associated with advanced fibrosis and definite NASH in adult Turkish patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD.