Comparison of Helicobacter pylori eradication rates of standard 14-day quadruple treatment and novel modified 10-day, 12-day and 14-day sequential treatments

Background & aimThis study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of bismuth-included standard regimen and modified sequential treatments in Turkey, where the success rate of standard triple therapy is very low.MethodsOne-hundred and sixty patients with dyspeptic complaints and naïve Helicobacter pylori infection were randomized into four groups: 41 patients received standard 14-day quadruple treatment (STD) (Rabeprazole 20 mg-bid, bismuth subcitrate (120 mg-qid), Tetracycline 500 mg-qid, Metronidazole 500 mg-tid) for 2 weeks. The modified sequential therapy groups received 20 mg rabeprazole and 1 g amoxicillin, twice daily for the first 5 days, followed by Rabeprazole 20 mg-bid, bismuth subcitrate (120 mg-qid), Tetracycline 500 mg-qid, Metronidazole 500 mg-tid for the remaining 5 (10 day sequential therapy group-10S) (42 patients), 7 (12 day sequential therapy group-12S) (42 patients) and 9 (14 day sequential therapy group-14S) (41 patients) days.ResultsThe overall compliance and H. pylori eradication rate among the 160 patients who completed the H. pylori eradication regimens were 86.9% (139/160) and 78.1% (125/160), respectively. The results were not statistically different between groups in the eradication rates. Per-protocol eradication rates were 76.5% in STD, 71.4% in 10S, 82.4% in 12S and 83.3% in 14S groups (p = 0.7). Intention-to-treatment rates were 77.5% in STD, 72.5% in 10S, 82.5% in 12S and 80.0% in 14S groups (p = 0.5).ConclusionThe eradication rates of standard 14-day and different sequential quadruple treatment regimens are comparable and much more higher than with standard 14-day triple H. pylori eradication treatment that has been reported previously in Turkey.