title: Comparison of 1-week vs. 2- or 4-week therapy regimens with ranitidine bismuth citrate plus two antibiotics for Helicobacter pylori eradication.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Helicobacter pylori eradication therapies based on ranitidine bismuth citrate have recently been introduced in clinical practice.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of three regimens containing ranitidine bismuth citrate given for 1, 2 and 4 weeks, combined with two antibiotics for the first week, in the eradication of H. pylori.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-six consecutive patients (50 duodenal ulcer disease, 36 non-ulcer dyspepsia) with H. pylori infection were offered three eradication regimens: (a) 1-week group (n=28), ranitidine bismuth citrate 400 mg b.d. for 7 days; (b) 2-week group (n=29), ranitidine bismuth citrate 400 mg b.d. for 14 days; and (c) 4-week group (n=29), ranitidine bismuth citrate 400 mg b.d. for 28 days. In all patients, clarithromycin 500 mg b.d. and metronidazole 500 mg b.d. were given for the first week. Endoscopy was repeated 1 month after the end of treatment and eradication was considered to be successful if both rapid urease test and histology were negative.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, H. pylori was eradicated in 84% (72/86) patients on intention-to-treat analysis, whereas the per protocol cure rate was 89% (72/81). Eradication rates were 23/27 (85%) (95% confidence interval (CI): 66-96%), 25/27 (92%) (95% CI: 76-99%) and 24/27 (89%) (95% CI: 71-98%) in the 1-, 2- and 4-week groups, respectively, on per protocol analysis, and 25/28 (82%) (95% CI: 63-94%), 25/29 (86%) (95% CI: 68-96%) and 24/29 (83%) (95% CI: 64-94%), respectively, on intention-to-treat analysis (P > 0.05, N.S.). No significant differences were observed between groups concerning duodenal ulcer healing, resolution of symptoms and adverse effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 1-week regimen with ranitidine bismuth citrate, clarithromycin and metronidazole is effective in H. pylori eradication. Prolongation of treatment with ranitidine bismuth citrate for 2 or 4 weeks does not achieve a statistically significant more favourable outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 1st IKA Hospital, Athens, Greece. kamberd@hol.gr
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kamberoglou
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Polymeros
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sanidas
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Doulgeroglou
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Savva
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Patra
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tzias
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001729:Bismuth / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; C073340:ranitidine bismuth citrate; D011899:Ranitidine; D017291:Clarithromycin; D001729:Bismuth