Accuracy of the Ultra-Rapid Urease Test for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection / Exactitud del test Ultra-Rapido de la Ureasa para el Diagnóstico de la infección por Helicobacter pylori

Background: Rapid Urease Test (RUT) is a simple, cheap and relatively fast method for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection. It is therefore the preferred method used for patients undergoing gastroscopy. Most kits require 24h to give results. The new Ultra-Rapid Urease Test (URUT) kit by Biohit(R) requires less than 1h. Objective: To determine URUT's diagnostic accuracy. Method: Prospective, blind, multi-centre study involving dyspeptic patients. One corpus biopsy and three antral biopsies were obtained during gastroscopy for standard histological analysis, RUT and URUT. The URUT result was checked after 1min, 5min, 30min and 60min and the RUT was checked over the course of 24h. Histology was used as the gold standard test. Results: 144 patients were included, 68% female, with a mean age of 49 years old; 50% were H. pyloripositive. RUT and URUT diagnoses were correct in 85.9% and 90% of the cases, respectively. The mean waiting time for a positive RUT result was 6h. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for RUT were, respectively, 82%, 90%, 89% and 84%. The URUT's results were similar (85%, 94%, 94% and 87%). These figures improved when patients taking PPIs were excluded (RUT: 86%, 91%, 93% and 83%; URUT: 91%, 94%, 96% and 89%). No statistically significant differences were found when comparing RUT and URUT distributions of correct diagnoses (McNemar's Test, p=0.3) but there was a tendency towards better results with the URUT. Conclusion: The URUT is equivalent to (or slightly better than) the traditional RUT in diagnosing H. pyloriinfection, and provides results in less than an hour (AU)

Introducción: El test de la ureasa (TRU) es un método simple, barato y relativamente rápido para el diagnóstico de la infección por Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Por tanto, es el método de elección en pacientes sometidos a gastroscopia. La mayoría de los kits requieren 24 h para obtener un resultado. En nuevo test ultrarrápido de la ureasa (TURU) de Biohit requiere menos de una hora. Objetivo: Determinar la exactitud diagnóstica del TURU. Método: Estudio multicéntrico, prospectivo y ciego, en el que se incluyó a pacientes dispépticos. Se obtuvieron 3 biopsias de antro y una de corpus durante la gastroscopia para análisis histológico estándar, TRU y TURU. El resultado del TURU se comprobó a los 1, 5, 30 y 60 min, mientras que el TRU se evaluó a lo largo de 24 h. La histología se utilizó como patrón oro. Resultados: Se incluyó a 144 pacientes, 68% mujeres, edad media 49 años, el 50% fueron positivos para H. pylori. TRU y TURU diagnosticaron correctamente el 85,9% y 90,0% de los casos, respectivamente. La duración media de espera para un resultado positivo del TRU fue 6 h. La sensibilidad, la especificidad y los valores predictivos negativo y positivo para el TRU fueron, respectivamente, del 82, el 90, el 89 y el 84%. Los resultados del TURU fueron equivalentes (el 85, el 94, el 94 y el 87%). Estos resultados mejoraron al excluir los pacientes que tomaban IBP (TRU: 86, 91, 93 y 83%; TURU: 91, 94, 96 y 89%). La comparación de distribución de diagnósticos correctos entre TRU y TURU no encontró diferencias estadísticamente significativas (test de McNemar p=0,3) pero existe una tendencia a mejores resultados con el TURU. Conclusión: El TURU es equivalente (o algo superior) al TRU tradicional en el diagnóstico de la infección por H. pylori y obtiene los resultados en menos de una hora (AU)

Accuracy of the Ultra-Rapid Urease Test for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: Rapid Urease Test (RUT) is a simple, cheap and relatively fast method for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection. It is therefore the preferred method used for patients undergoing gastroscopy. Most kits require 24h to give results. The new Ultra-Rapid Urease Test (URUT) kit by Biohit® requires less than 1h. OBJECTIVE: To determine URUT's diagnostic accuracy. METHOD: Prospective, blind, multi-centre study involving dyspeptic patients. One corpus biopsy and three antral biopsies were obtained during gastroscopy for standard histological analysis, RUT and URUT. The URUT result was checked after 1min, 5min, 30min and 60min and the RUT was checked over the course of 24h. Histology was used as the gold standard test. RESULTS: 144 patients were included, 68% female, with a mean age of 49 years old; 50% were H. pylori positive. RUT and URUT diagnoses were correct in 85.9% and 90% of the cases, respectively. The mean waiting time for a positive RUT result was 6h. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for RUT were, respectively, 82%, 90%, 89% and 84%. The URUT's results were similar (85%, 94%, 94% and 87%). These figures improved when patients taking PPIs were excluded (RUT: 86%, 91%, 93% and 83%; URUT: 91%, 94%, 96% and 89%). No statistically significant differences were found when comparing RUT and URUT distributions of correct diagnoses (McNemar's Test, p=0.3) but there was a tendency towards better results with the URUT. CONCLUSION: The URUT is equivalent to (or slightly better than) the traditional RUT in diagnosing H. pylori infection, and provides results in less than an hour.

Predictive variables of sustained virological response after early discontinuation of triple therapy with telaprevir for genotype-1 HCV infection / Variables pronósticas de respuesta virológica sostenida tras la interrupción precoz del tratamiento triple con telaprevir de la infección por genotipo 1 del virus de la hepatitis C

BACKGROUND: Pivotal phase studies of telaprevir (TLV) and boceprevir (BOV) showed 10-56% rates of early treatment interruption. However, there have been no reports on the sustained virological response (SVR) rates of these patients. AIM: To assess the SVR rate in a large cohort of patients who discontinued triple therapy with TLV or BOV for reasons other than stopping rules and to identify variables predicting SVR. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A survey was sent to 15 hospitals in Catalonia asking them to report all TLV/BOV treatments finished by 31 May 2014. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, liver fibrosis and therapeutic data were recorded for treatments with early discontinuation. Logistic regression analysis, ROC curves and prognostic assessment of the variables identified were calculated. RESULTS: Twelve hospitals responded to the survey, representing 467 treatments and 121 (21.2%) early discontinuations, 76 (62.8%) due to stopping rules and 45 (37.2%) for other reasons. Early discontinuation was more frequent with BOV [38.2% (50/131) versus 21.1% (71/336) p < 0.005], mainly due to stopping rules [78% (39/50) versus 52.1% (37/71); p = 0.004]. SVR was achieved in 21/121 patients (17.4%), 19/71 (26.8%) treated with TLV and 2/50 (4.0%) treated with BOV. In patients discontinuing treatment for reasons other than stopping rules, SVR was achieved in 19/37 (55.9%) treated with TLV and in 2/11 (18.2%) treated with BOV. The SVR rate in patients treated with TLV who discontinued due to a severe adverse event was 61.5% (16/26). A logistic regression analysis was performed only with triple therapy with TLV and early discontinuation. The predictive variables of SVR were undetectable HCV-RNA at treatment week 4 and treatment length longer than 11 weeks. Treatment duration longer than 11 weeks showed the best accuracy (0.794), with a positive predictive value of 0.928. CONCLUSIONS: Early discontinuation of TLV-based triple therapy due to reasons other than stopping rules still have a significant SVR rate (55.9%). Undetectable HVC-RNA at week 4 of treatment and treatment duration longer than 11 weeks are predictive of SVR in this subset of patients

ANTECEDENTES: Los estudios de registro de telaprevir (TLV) y boceprevir (BOV) han mostrado tasas de interrupción precoz del tratamiento del 10-56%, pero no se ha comunicado la respuesta virológica sostenida (RVS) de estos pacientes. OBJETIVOS: Analizar la RVS, y los factores predictivos de esta, en una cohorte extensa de pacientes que pararon precozmente el tratamiento triple con TLV/BOV por causas diferentes a reglas de parada. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Se envió a 15 de hospitales de Cataluña un cuestionario relativo a los tratamientos con TLV/BOV finalizados antes del 31 de mayo de 2014, incluyendo información clínica, analítica, elastométrica y terapéutica de aquellos interrumpidos precozmente. Se realizaron análisis de regresión logística, curvas ROC y estimaciones pronósticas de las variables identificadas. RESULTADOS: Contestaron la encuesta 12 hospitales, sumando un total de 467 tratamientos con 121 (21,2%) interrupciones precoces del mismo, 76 (62,8%) por reglas de parada y 45 (37,2%) por otras causas. Hubo más paradas precoces en los tratamientos con BOV (38,2% [50/131] versus 21,1% [71/336]; p < 0,005), principalmente debidas a reglas de parada (78% [39/50] versus 52,1% [37/71]; p = 0,004). Alcanzaron RVS 21/121 pacientes (17,4%), 19/71 (26,8%) tratados con TLV y 2/50 (4,0%) tratados con BOV. En los pacientes que pararon el tratamiento por causas distintas a reglas de parada se alcanzó la RVS en 19/37 (55,9%) tratados con TLV y en 2/11 (18,2%) tratados con BOV. Los pacientes tratados con TLV que pararon el tratamiento por efecto adverso grave tuvieron una tasa de RVS del 61,5% (16/26). El análisis de regresión logística se hizo solo con los tratamientos triples con TLV parados precozmente. Las variables predictivas de RVS fueron el ARN-VHC indetectable en semana 4 y la duración del tratamiento mayor de 11 semanas. El mejor valor pronóstico (0,794) lo tuvo la duración total del tratamiento mayor de 11 semanas, con un VPP de 0,928. CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes que paran precozmente el tratamiento triple con TLV por causas diferentes a reglas de parada conservan una tasa de RVS relevante (55,9%) en esta cohorte. El ARN-VHC indetectable en semana 4 y la duración del tratamiento mayor de 11 semanas son predictivas de RVS de este subgrupo de pacientes

Predictive variables of sustained virological response after early discontinuation of triple therapy with telaprevir for genotype-1 HCV infection.

BACKGROUND: Pivotal phase studies of telaprevir (TLV) and boceprevir (BOV) showed 10-56% rates of early treatment interruption. However, there have been no reports on the sustained virological response (SVR) rates of these patients. AIM: To assess the SVR rate in a large cohort of patients who discontinued triple therapy with TLV or BOV for reasons other than stopping rules and to identify variables predicting SVR. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A survey was sent to 15 hospitals in Catalonia asking them to report all TLV/BOV treatments finished by 31 May 2014. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, liver fibrosis and therapeutic data were recorded for treatments with early discontinuation. Logistic regression analysis, ROC curves and prognostic assessment of the variables identified were calculated. RESULTS: Twelve hospitals responded to the survey, representing 467 treatments and 121 (21.2%) early discontinuations, 76 (62.8%) due to stopping rules and 45 (37.2%) for other reasons. Early discontinuation was more frequent with BOV [38.2% (50/131) versus 21.1% (71/336) p<0.005], mainly due to stopping rules [78% (39/50) versus 52.1% (37/71); p=0.004]. SVR was achieved in 21/121 patients (17.4%), 19/71 (26.8%) treated with TLV and 2/50 (4.0%) treated with BOV. In patients discontinuing treatment for reasons other than stopping rules, SVR was achieved in 19/37 (55.9%) treated with TLV and in 2/11 (18.2%) treated with BOV. The SVR rate in patients treated with TLV who discontinued due to a severe adverse event was 61.5% (16/26). A logistic regression analysis was performed only with triple therapy with TLV and early discontinuation. The predictive variables of SVR were undetectable HCV-RNA at treatment week 4 and treatment length longer than 11 weeks. Treatment duration longer than 11 weeks showed the best accuracy (0.794), with a positive predictive value of 0.928. CONCLUSIONS: Early discontinuation of TLV-based triple therapy due to reasons other than stopping rules still have a significant SVR rate (55.9%). Undetectable HVC-RNA at week 4 of treatment and treatment duration longer than 11 weeks are predictive of SVR in this subset of patients.

[Evolution of the sensitivity of 235 strains of Helicobacter pylori from 1995 to 1998 and impact of antibiotic treatment]. / Evolución de la sensibilidad de 235 cepas de Helicobacter pylori entre 1995 y 1998 e impacto del tratamiento antibiótico.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the sensitivity of Helicobacter pylori to the antibiotics used in its eradication over a period of four years and to determine the influence of previous treatment on sensitivity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the period from 1995 to 1998 we determined the sensitivity of 235 consecutive Helicobacter pylori isolates to amoxicillin, metronidazole, clarythromycin and tetracycline by means of E-test methodology. The MIC values found were related with the prior use of eradicating treatment. RESULTS: The percentage of resistant strains were as follows: 23.5% to metronidazole, 12.9% to clarythromycin and 0.7% to tetracycline; none of the strains was resistant to amoxicillin. There were no significant changes in percentage of resistance to the drugs studied over the 4-year period. Resistance to metronidazole and clarythromycin was significantly higher (p 5 0.03 and p < 0.001 respectively) in strains isolated from patients who had received previous treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Monitorization of H. pylori sensitivity to the drugs used in its eradication is particularly important in patients who have undergone prior treatment.

Evolución de la sensibilidad de 235 cepas de Helicobacter pylori entre 1995 y 1998 e impacto del tratamiento antibiótico / Sensitivity of 235 strains of Helicobacter pylori from 1995 to 1998 and impact of antibiotic treatment

FUNDAMENTO. Conocer la sensibilidad de Helicobacter pylori a los antibióticos utilizados en el tratamiento erradicador, su evolución temporal y la influencia de la utilización previa de dicho tratamiento. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS. Se estudió mediante E-test la sensibilidad a amoxicilina, metronidazol, claritromicina y tetraciclina de 235 aislamientos consecutivos de Helicobacter pylori durante el período comprendido entre 1995 y 1998, y se relacionaron los valores de concentración mínima inhibitoria (CMI) hallados con la utilización previa de tratamiento erradicador. RESULTADOS. Se observó un porcentaje de resistencia a metronidazol de 23,5 por ciento, de 12,9 por ciento a claritromicina y de 0,7 por ciento a tetraciclina; ninguna de las cepas fue resistente a amoxicilina. No se observaron cambios significativos en los porcentajes de resistencia a lo largo del período estudiado. Los porcentajes de resistencia a metronidazol y claritromicina fueron significativamente más elevados (p 0,03 y p < 0,001, respectivamente) en las cepas aisladas de los pacientes que habían recibido tratamiento. CONCLUSIONES. Es necesaria la monitorización de la sensibilidad de H. pylori a los antibióticos utilizados en el tratamiento erradicador, especialmente en los pacientes previamente tratados Helicobacter pylori isolates to amoxicillin, metronidazole, clarythromycin and tetracycline by means of E-test methodology. The MIC values found were related with the prior use of eradicating treatment. RESULTS. The percentage of resistant strains were as follows: 23.5 por ciento to metronidazole, 12.9 por ciento to clarythromycin and 0.7 por ciento to tetracycline; none of the strains was resistant to amoxicillin. There were no significant changes in percentage of resistance to the drugs studied over the 4-year period. Resistance to metronidazole and clarythromycin was significantly higher (p 0.03 and p < 0.001 respectively) in strains isolated from patients who had received previous treatment. CONCLUSIONS. Monitorization of H. pylori sensitivity to the drugs used in its eradication is particularly important in patients who have undergone prior treatment (AU)