Aims : To study the efficacy of omeprazole triple therapy in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori in patients with active gastric ulcer, and to assess healing and relapse of gastric ulcer. Methods : A double‐blind, randomized study was carried out in 18 centres in Germany, Hungary and Poland. Patients (n = 160) with gastric ulcer and a positive H. pylori screening test were randomized to a 7‐day twice daily treatment with omeprazole 20 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg and amoxycillin 1000 mg (OAC) or omeprazole 20 mg, clarithromycin 250 mg and metronidazole 400 mg (OMC), or with omeprazole 20 mg once daily (O). After completion of this 1‐week treatment, patients were treated with omeprazole until healing (maximum 12 weeks), and followed for 6 months. H. pylori was assessed by urea breath test (UBT) and histology. Results : Eradication rates ITT were OAC 79% (95% CI: 65–90%), OMC 86% (95% CI: 73–94%) and O 4% (95% CI: 0–14%). Eradication rates PP were OAC 83% (95% CI: 68–93%), OMC 93% (95% CI: 80–98%) and O 3% (95% CI: 0–13%). Gastric ulcer relapses occurred in 5, 0 and 11 patients in the groups, respectively. Conclusions : The results from the study demonstrate that OMC and OAC 1‐week regimens are safe and effective for eradication of H. pylori in gastric ulcer patients, and that ulcer relapse is infrequent after successful eradication.

We found the performance of the BM test to be insufficiently accurate, as both over- and underdiagnosis of H. pylori infection were not infrequent. This test needs to be improved before its use in primary care can be recommended.

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