Favorable effects of close telephone follow-up on Helicobacter pylori eradication success

Abstract

Introduction: To determine whether close follow-up by telephone calls is of benefit in Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication rates. Material and Method: This is a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Patients were randomized into two groups as patients who were followed up by telephone calls (TFG) and those who were not (NTFG; controls). Patients in the TFG group were called every 3 days for the 14 days during Hp treatment and were supported for treatment. Patients in the NTFG group were explained the treatment protocol in detail at treatment initiation and were instructed to return for a follow-up visit 4 weeks after treatment end. The latter group was not given support via telephone calls. All patients were examined by fecal HP antigen assay 4 weeks after eradication treatment. Results: The 242 patients' age range was 19-82 and their mean age was 45.01±14.6 years. Of the patients, 52.1% (n=126) were women and 47.9% (n=116) were men. At treatment initiation and during medical examinations, 6.2% (n=15) of the patients voluntarily withdrew from the study. Treatment was discontinued in 5.8% (n=14) during the course of treatment due to side effects. Of the remaining 213 patients, 108 were randomized to the TFG group and 105 to the NTFG group. Eradication was achieved in 80% (n=84) and could not be achieved in 20% (n=21) of the patients in NTFG. Eradication was achieved in 91.6% (n=99) and could not be achieved in 8.4% (n=9) of the patients in TGF (p<0.001). Conclusions: Supportive close telephone follow up significantly positively contributed to the Hp eradication success.