Decision analysis of histamine H2-receptor antagonist maintenance therapy versus Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy: a randomised controlled trial in patients with continuing pain after duodenal ulcer.
BACKGROUND
Much has been published on the efficacy and cost effectiveness of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment as an alternative to histamine H2-receptor antagonist maintenance treatment in peptic ulcer disease. However, most studies have analysed and emphasised H. pylori eradication rates rather than management/control of symptoms and the associated cost savings. Although H. pylori eradication therapy is very successful in clearing the infection, dyspeptic symptoms may persist and management of these can be expensive.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the cost implications in controlling symptoms using either H2-receptor antagonist maintenance therapy or H. pylori eradication therapy in patients with duodenal ulcer disease.


METHODS
This was a non-blind, prospective, randomised, parallel-group study comparing maintenance H2-receptor antagonist treatment using ranitidine with H. pylori eradication therapy, with a 1-year follow-up.


METHODS
This was a study of outpatients from general practices in Dundee, Scotland, or the Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, gastroenterology clinic.


METHODS
119 patients with confirmed duodenal ulcer, free from active ulceration at study entry but positive for H. pylori infection, who were receiving maintenance H2-receptor antagonist therapy.


METHODS
Patients were randomised to receive either continuing maintenance therapy with ranitidine (initially 150 mg daily; 58 patients) or H. pylori eradication therapy using an omeprazole/amoxicillin/metronidazole regimen (or omeprazole/clarithromycin if allergic to penicillin).


RESULTS
Overall, H. pylori eradication rates were 100% per protocol and 95.1% intention-to-treat. At completion of 1 year of follow-up, 12 of the 61 (19.7%) patients successfully eradicated of H. pylori were still dependent on acid suppression for symptom relief. H. pylori eradication treatment was the least-cost strategy in managing/controlling symptoms at 1 year (168 Pounds vs 210 Pounds per patient; 1996 values). However, over time, post-eradication treatment costs were greater than H2-receptor antagonist therapy costs. Any potential savings were directly related to the proportion of patients needing further treatment post-eradication, the cost of endoscopy and the urea breath test.


CONCLUSIONS
If dyspepsia persists long term, H. pylori eradication treatment may not be the least-cost option for patients with duodenal ulcer.
Tavakoli
M
M
Department of Management, University of St Andrews, Scotland. mt@st-and.ac.uk
Prach
A T
AT
Malek
M
M
Hopwood
D
D
Senior
B W
BW
Murray
F E
FE
D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D003663:Decision Trees; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000191:economics*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists