ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: It was our goal to evaluate the efficacy and safety and patient compliance with omeprazole-based dual and triple therapy for eradication of Helicobacter pylori in peptic ulcer disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred seventy-five consecutive patients with H. pylori infection and associated active peptic ulcer were included. H. pylori infection was assessed by rapid urease test and histological analysis. Patients were randomized among three treatments: group 1 (56 patients): omeprazole, 20 mg bid, and amoxicillin, 1 gm bid, for 2 weeks; group 2 (61 patients): omeprazole, 20 mg bid, plus amoxicillin, 1 gm bid, and metronidazole, 500 mg bid, for 1 week; and group 3 (58 patients): omeprazole, 20 mg bid, plus amoxicillin, 1 gm bid, and clarithromycin, 500 mg bid, for 1 week. Ulcer healing and cure of infection were evaluated at 4 to 6 weeks after cessation of therapy. Eradication rate was calculated per-protocol and by an intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS: At posttreatment endoscopy, duodenal ulcer was healed in 98.3% of patients. Eleven patients (6%) were lost to follow-up. H. pylori infection was treated successfully in 55% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 41%-69%) of patients of group 1; 86% (95% CI = 77%-95%) of group 2 (p < .001 vs. group 1); and 93% (95% CI = 85%-100%) of group 3 (p < .001 vs. group 1). On intention-to-treat analysis, eradication was 52%, 80%, and 86% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. A good compliance was observed in more than 90% of patients of all groups. Side effects were reported by 7% of patients in group 1, 9% in group 2, and 11% in group 3. None of the patients stopped therapy because of side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Dual-therapy omeprazole-amoxicillin for 2 weeks is associated with significantly lower eradication rate than is 1-week omeprazole-based triple therapies. Triple therapy is well-tolerated and produces side effects similar to those of dual therapy. The highest cure rate of H. pylori infection was achieved with triple therapy of omeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin for 1 week.
