One week eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori

ABSTRACT

Studies have been published from most parts of the world regarding optimal duration of treatment for peptic ulcer disease and for eradication of Helicobacter Pylori with some statistical differences therein. Worldwide consensus on this issue has still not been reached. The primary objective of the present study was to elucidate the role of the duration of treatment in the cure of H. Pylori infection. We aimed to determine whether one-week triple therapy is effective for eradication of H Pylori, so that a cost-effective protocol could be developed. Also to see if there was any difference in response in patients from this part of the world, as no such study has been previously reported from Pakistan. Patients with endoscopically proven peptic ulcer disease and H Pylori status confirmed by urease test were given PPI based triple therapy for one week and then PPI was continued for another week. After two weeks, endoscopy and urease test was repeated to assess H Pylori eradication. There were 32 patients [20 male, 12 female, mean age 38.9 years] included in the study. All had endoscopically proven peptic ulcer at initial diagnosis and all were positive for H Pylori infection. On repeat endoscopy two weeks later 27 patients [84.3%] showed complete ulcer healing 'and PPI was stopped, whereas 5 patients showed signs of partial healing. In the lattei PPI was continued for another week, and on repeat endoscopy at end of therapy, all ulcers showed complete healing. Urease test was repeated in all patients at second endoscopy and was negative in 28 patients [87.5%]. Our results were in keeping with other similar studies from different parts of the world. We conclude that one week of triple therapy is sufficient for eradication of H Pylori