Comparison between rapid urease test and carbon 14 urea breath test in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background: The most common human infection of upper gastrointestinal region is Helicobacter pylori. Most individuals remain asymptomatic due to misuse of antibiotic and proton pump inhibitors. Methods: 50 patients admitted or on outpatient department basis were selected based on the upper gastrointestinal symptoms and whether they were 18 years and above. Results: The Rapid Urease Test (RUT) had 84% sensitivity and 91% specificity, with an overall accuracy of 88%. The results of the Urea breath Test (UBT) showed 88% sensitivity and 83% specificity, and an overall accuracy of 85%. Conclusions: The invasive procedure OGD scopy need not be done in patients for the sole purpose of diagnosing HP infection as the diagnostic efficacies of RUT & UBT tests are similar.