Randomized study comparing 1 with 2 weeks of quadruple therapy for eradicating Helicobacter pylori.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated whether the recommended 2-wk triple therapy for eradicating Helicobacter pylori could be reduced to 1 wk, and thus we tried to determine the optimal treatment duration for triple therapy.


METHODS
A group of 111 consecutive patients with H. pylori-proven chronic peptic ulcer disease was entered in a randomized study comparing the side effects, compliance, and eradication rates with either 1 wk or 2 wk of traditional triple therapy in combination with an H2 receptor antagonist (quadruple therapy).


RESULTS
Follow-up data were available for 109 patients. Eradication for 1 wk of treatment was 53/56 (95%) [95% confidence interval (CI), 89-100%] and for the 2-wk treatment schedule was 50/53 (94%) (95% CI, 88-100%). Therefore 1-wk quadruple therapy appears sufficient, and prolonging treatment does not increase efficacy. Compliance with quadruple therapy is better when the duration of treatment decreases from 2 to 1 wk. One-week quadruple therapy seems feasible for most patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the high eradication rate and good tolerability of this short course of quadruple therapy, we recommend it as first-line anti-Helicobacter treatment in a compliant population.
de Boer
W A
WA
Department of Internal Medicine, Sint Joseph Ziekenhuis, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.
Driessen
W M
WM
Potters
V P
VP
Tytgat
G N
GN
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001729:Bismuth / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010349:Patient Compliance; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008795:Metronidazole; D013752:Tetracycline; C002791:bismuth tripotassium dicitrate; D001729:Bismuth