Accuracy of the 14C-urea breath test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori.
BACKGROUND
The development of simple, accurate and low-expense techniques for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection has great relevance.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the accuracy of a rapid 14C-urea breath test (UBT) employing a very simple device for breathed air collection.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto.


METHODS
One hundred and thirty-seven adult patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in the Clinical Hospital.


METHODS
Histology for Helicobacter pylori (HP); urease test; urea breath test (UBT).


RESULTS
One hundred and fifteen patients were infected by HP (HP+) according to both histology and the urease test, and 22 patients were HP-negative (HP-), according to the same two tests. UBT was capable of discriminating between HP+ and HP- in a way that was similar to the combination of urease test and histology. When this combination of results is taken as the "gold standard" for HP infection, the sensitivity and specificity of UBT are both greater than 90% for a range of cut-off points and breathed air collection times.


CONCLUSIONS
The rapid UBT employing a simple device for air collection has a high accuracy in determining HP infection.
Gomes
Ana Thereza Britto
AT
Hospital das Clinicas, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Coelho
Luciano Kowalsky
LK
Secaf
Marie
M
Módena
José Luiz Pimenta
JL
Troncon
Luiz Ernesto de Almeida
LE
Oliveira
Ricardo Brandt de
RB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014508:Urea / Q000378:metabolism; D014510:Urease / Q000378:metabolism
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D014508:Urea; D014510:Urease