title: Effect of licorice versus bismuth on eradication of Helicobacter pylori in patients with peptic ulcer disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Different therapeutic regimens were used for eradication of Helicobacter pylori, based on the cost, effectiveness and patient's compliance. The aim of this study was the evaluation of licorice compared with bismuth in quadruple regimen on eradication of H. pylori in patients with peptic ulcer disease (PUD).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a double-blind clinical trial study, 60 patients with PUD and positive rapid urease test were enrolled. The patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups. In first group, licorice, amoxicillin, metronidazole and omeprazole and in the second (control) group, bismuth subsalicylate, amoxicillin, metronidazole and omeprazole were prescribed respectively, and 4 weeks after treatment, in order to evaluate H. pylori eradication, urea breath test was done in all patients. The outcome of the study was the preference usage of licorice as an effective medication for H. pylori eradication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of the patients in the control and case groups were 40.8 ± 15.5 and 42.2 ± 15.8 years, respectively (P = 0.726). Seventeen (56.7%) patients in control group and 16 (53.3%) in the case group were female (P = 0.795). Both groups were similar based on frequency of gastric or duodenal ulcer. Response to treatment were seen in 20 (67%) and 17 (57%) patients of case and control groups, respectively (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study showed that licorice is as effective as bismuth in H. pylori eradication; therefore, in patients whom bismuth is contraindicated, licorice can be used safely instead.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Plant Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Momeni
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Plant Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Ghorbanali
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rahimian
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Plant Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Abass
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kiasi
authors.affiliation: Social Health Determinants Research Center, School of Health, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amiri
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Clinical Biochemistry Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Soleiman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kheiri
keywords: Bismuth; Helicobacter pylori eradication; licorice