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Effectiveness of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatments in a primary care setting in Italy
Author(s) -
Monica P. Della,
Lavagna A.,
Masoero G.,
Lombardo L.,
Crocellá L.,
Pera A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2002.01244.x
Subject(s) - medicine , helicobacter pylori , regimen , urea breath test , proton pump inhibitor , gastroenterology , helicobacter pylori infection
Aim: To evaluate the choice and relative effectiveness of Helicobacter pylori eradication regimens in a primary care setting. Patients and methods: Patients referred to our department, who had been treated for H. pylori infection during the preceding 6 months, were enrolled between September 1998 and July 1999. H. pylori status was assessed by urea breath test. Information on the drugs administered, compliance and side‐effects was recorded. Results: The mean eradication rate was 72% in patients receiving their first course of treatment (1863 cases; 45% male; mean age, 53 ± 14 years); a double therapy regimen was prescribed to 14% of patients, triple therapy to 85% and quadruple therapy to 1%. Maastricht Consensus proton pump inhibitor‐based regimens were prescribed in 80% of cases, with a mean eradication rate of 73%. No statistically significant correlation was found between eradication failure and sex, age, endoscopic findings or administered treatment. Conclusions: In Italy, in a primary care setting, first‐line H. pylori eradication therapies reflect international guidelines. The efficacy of such regimens is lower than that reported by controlled trials. These results are relevant when making pharmacoeconomic evaluations of H. pylori management.