title: Helicobacter pylori eradication: are we really all equal? A controlled study in native and immigrant population.
abstract: Italy's shift to a tertiary economy has modified the working market, concentrating demand also on unqualified one, which includes most immigrants. It is also well established that low socio-economical conditions are associated with an increased prevalence of H. pylori infection. The aims of this study were to compare: (1) the efficacy of a 7 days triple therapy in immigrant and in Italian patients; (2) the prevalence of PUD between these two groups of patients. A total of 116 consecutive immigrant and 112 Italian H. pylori infected patients were recruited between 2007 and 2008. Patients underwent (13)C-UBT, endoscopy with biopsies, and were offered a 7-day triple therapy. Eradication rate (ER) was assessed 8 weeks after the end of the treatment using (13)C-UBT. The two populations differed for median age (p < 0.01), prevalence of PUD (p < 0.01), and smoking status (p < 0.01). The ER according to the ITT analysis was 70% for Italian and 48.3% for immigrant (p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis including country of origin, sex, age, PUD, smoking, and alcohol status found that immigrant had an adjusted OR for not eradicating of 2.14 (p = 0.03). In immigrant patients resident in Italy, performance of triple therapy was lower than expected. Further studies are demanded to confirm and clarify these intriguing results.
authors: Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Versilia Hospital, Lido di Camaiore, Italy. gattaluigi@yahoo.it
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Gatta
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Di Mario
authors: Dino
authors: D
authors: Vaira
authors: Angelo
authors: A
authors: Franzé
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Rugge
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Pilotto
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Lucarini
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Lera
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Fiorini
authors: Valentina
authors: V
authors: Castelli
authors: Enkleda
authors: E
authors: Kajo
authors: Carmelo
authors: C
authors: Scarpignato
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology; D011446:Prospective Studies