Randomized clinical trial: 7-day vonoprazan-based versus 14-day omeprazole-based triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Vonoprazan has more potent and sustained acid inhibitory effects than proton pump inhibitors; therefore, Helicobacter pylori eradication rates are expected to improve with the use of vonoprazan-based regimens. To date, no randomized trial has compared the efficacy of 7-day vonoprazan-based triple therapy (7-VAC) with 14-day omeprazole-based triple therapy (14-OAC). This study aimed to compare the H. pylori eradication rates of 7-VAC and 14-OAC. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was performed at a tertiary hospital in Bangkok. Patients with active H. pylori infection who were naive to treatment were included and randomized (1:1) into either a 7-VAC group (vonoprazan 20 mg bid. pc., amoxicillin 1000 mg bid. pc., and clarithromycin 500 mg bid. pc.) or a 14-OAC group (omeprazole 20 mg bid. ac., amoxicillin 1000 mg bid. pc., and clarithromycin 500 mg bid. pc.). Eradication success was evaluated by urea breath test 4-6 weeks after completion of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 122 subjects were randomized to receive 7-VAC (n = 61) or 14-OAC (n = 61). The H. pylori eradication rates of the 7-VAC and 14-OAC groups were 96.7% and 88.5% (P = 0.083), respectively, by intention-to-treat analysis and 98.3% and 93.1% (P = 0.159), respectively, by per-protocol analysis. All treatment-related adverse events were mild and not significantly different between the two groups. Common side effects included bitter taste, nausea, and dizziness. CONCLUSIONS: The 7-VAC regimen was well tolerated and achieved similar eradication rates and side effects to those of 14-OAC; therefore, 7-VAC may be considered an alternative regimen for H. pylori treatment with the benefit of shorter duration.

Diffuse Esophageal Squamous Papillomatosis: A Rare Disease Associated with Acanthosis Nigricans and Tripe Palms.

Acanthosis nigricans with tripe palms is one of the skin manifestations of systemic conditions, as well as internal malignancy. There have been reports of this paraneoplastic condition's association with orocutaneous papillomatosis, but investigations into its relationship with diffuse esophageal papillomatosis are scarce. We report a case of acanthosis nigricans with tripe palms that was associated with diffuse esophageal squamous papillomatosis. A 40-year-old Thai woman with underlying systemic lupus erythematosus and secondary Sjögren's syndrome, who was recently diagnosed with acanthosis nigricans and tripe palms was investigated for occult gastrointestinal malignancy. An upper GI endoscopy revealed diffuse squamous papilloma along the entire esophagus and lower GI endoscopy revealed one pedunculated hyperplastic polyp 1 cm in size at the sigmoid colon. Long-term follow-up is needed to reassure these coexisting conditions belonging to benign systemic diseases without hidden malignancy.