Pharmacoeconomic comparison of Helicobacter pylori eradication regimens.
BACKGROUND
Helicobacter pylori is the most important etiologic agent for development of peptic ulcer, chronic gastritis and gastric carcinomas. It is now well established that H. pylori eradication treatment is more cost-effective than acid suppressing therapies alone for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. However, the comparative cost-effectiveness of various H. pylori eradication regimens is still not clear.


OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to make a pharmacoeconomic comparison of different H. pylori eradication regimens in patients with peptic ulcer disease or chronic gastritis, using real-world cost and effectiveness data.


METHODS
Istanbul University Hospital and Marmara University Hospital.


METHODS
A total of 75 patients diagnosed as H. pylori (+) by endoscopy were randomized to receive one of the seven H. pylori treatment protocols. These protocols were as follows: (LAC) = 'lansoprazole 30 mg bid + amoxicillin 1 g bid + clarithromycin 500 mg bid' for 7 days and (OCM) = 'omeprazole 20 mg bid + clarithromycin 250 mg bid + metronidazole 500 mg bid'; (OAM) = 'omeprazole 40 mg qd + amoxicillin 500 mg tid + metronidazole 500 mg tid'; (MARB) = 'metronidazole 250 mg tid + amoxicillin 500 mg qid + ranitidine 300 mg hs + bismuth 300 mg qid'; (OAC) = omeprazole 20 mg bid + amoxicillin 1 g bid + clarithromycin 500 mg bid'; (OCA) = omeprazole 40 mg bid + clarithromycin 500 mg bid + amoxicillin 1 g bid'; (OAB) = 'omeprazole 20 mg bid + amoxicillin 500 mg tid + bismuth 300 mg qid' each for 14 days. Only direct costs were included in the analysis. Effectiveness was measured in terms of "successful eradication". The cost-effectiveness ratios of the regimens were calculated using these effectiveness and cost data. The perspective of the study was assumed as the Government's perspective.


METHODS
Cost-effectiveness ratios of eradication regimens.


RESULTS
MARB and OCA regimens were found to be more cost-effective than the other treatment regimens. The eradication rates and cost-effectiveness ratios calculated for these protocols were 90% (158.7 euros) for MARB and 90% (195.8 euros) for OCA regimen.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms the importance of using local pharmacoeconomic data. Analyses such as this give decision-makers the tools to choose a better treatment option which is both highly effective yet and has a low cost.
Sancar
Mesut
M
Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Tibbiye Cd. No: 49, Haydarpasa, 34817 Istanbul, Turkey. sancarmesut@yahoo.com
Izzettin
Fikret Vehbi
FV
Apikoglu-Rabus
Sule
S
Besisik
Fatih
F
Tozun
Nurdan
N
Dulger
Gul
G
D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D064747:Lansoprazole; D008297:Male; D008551:Melena / Q000139:chemically induced; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D064747:Lansoprazole; D008795:Metronidazole; D000658:Amoxicillin; D011899:Ranitidine; D017291:Clarithromycin; C002791:bismuth tripotassium dicitrate; D009853:Omeprazole