Effect of bismuth addition to the triple therapy of Helicobacter pylori eradication

Abstract

Objective: Success rates of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and proton-pump inhibitor therapy in the Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication have been decreasing. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of bismuth subcitrate addition to triple therapy. Materials and methods: 148 patients diagnosed Hp infection with both histology and Hp stool antigen (HpSA) tests were examined retrospectively. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the eradication therapy. The first group received triple therapy with claritromycine 2x 500 mg, amoxicilline 2x1 g and PPI 2x1 for 14 days (n=40). The second group had bismuth subcitrate 4x120 mg with triple therapy for 14 days (n=73). The third group received 14 days pretreatment with bismuth subcitrate 4x1 together with PPI 2x1 then had triple therapy for 14 days (n=35). (14)C urea breath and HpSA tests were used to detect posttreatment H.pylori status. Results: There were no statistical difference between the groups in terms of gender and age (p > 0.05). In group one 12 patients, in group two 20 patients and in group three 10 patients were identified as Hp positive after treatment. Eradication rates were 70% for group one, 72.6% for group two and 71.4% for group three respectively. There was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of eradication rates of treatment (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The addition of bismuth to conventional triple therapy did not affect treatment success rates.