Amoxicillin-Clarithromycin-Containing Bismuth Quadruple Therapy for Primary Eradication of Helicobacter pylori

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of amoxicillin-clarithromycin-containing bismuth quadruple regimen as a primary therapy for Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication.Methods A total of 102 Hp-infected outpatients diagnosed by 13C-or 14C-urea breath test from December 2015 to June 2017 were enrolled and received 14-day bismuth quadruple therapy (esomeprazole 20 mg bid,bismuth potassium citrate 220 mg bid,amoxicillin 1000 mg bid,and clarithromycin 500 mg bid for 14 days). Hp status was assessed by 13C-or 14C-urea breath test 4 weeks,8 weeks,6 months,and 12 months after the treatment. The primary outcome was Hp eradication rate,which was analyzed by intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses. The second outcomes were Hp infection recurrence,symptomatic benefit from Hp eradication,and safety. Results A total of 101 patients,of which 65 patients had dyspeptic symptoms before eradication,completed the study. Hp eradication rates by ITT analysis and by PP analysis were 88.2% and 89.1%,respectively. Only in two of 84 patients,who were followed for 8 weeks after eradication,Hp became positive. No Hp recurrence happened at the 6-month and 12-month follow-up and the annual recurrence rate was 2.4%. The symptomatic relief rates at the 4-week,8-week,6-month and 12-month follow-up were 81.5%,75.4%,71.2%,and 70.2% respectively. Eleven of 101 patients had mild and similar side-effects,which were well tolerated.Conclusion Amoxicillin-clarithromycin-containing bismuth quadruple regimen can be used as the standard therapy for Hp eradication.