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Does the Diagnostic Accuracy of the 13 C‐Urea Breath Test Vary with Age Even After the Application of Urea Hydrolysis Rate?
Author(s) -
Yang Hye Ran,
Ko Jae Sung,
Seo Jeong Kee
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
helicobacter
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.206
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1523-5378
pISSN - 1083-4389
DOI - 10.1111/j.1523-5378.2008.00608.x
Subject(s) - medicine , significant difference , urea , gastroenterology , diagnostic accuracy , age groups , pediatrics , demography , chemistry , biochemistry , sociology
Background: Endogenous CO 2 production may be a possible explanation for higher false‐positive results reported for 13 C‐urea breath test (UBT) in children below 6 years. In this study, we evaluated whether age affects the diagnostic accuracy of the 13 C‐UBT even after the application of urea hydrolysis rate (UHR) in children. Methods: A total of 612 13 C‐UBTs and endoscopic biopsies were performed on children divided into two groups; children under 6 years ( n = 126) and children aged 6–18 years ( n = 486). For 13 C‐UBT, 75 mg 13 C‐urea was ingested, and breath sample was collected 30 minutes later. Delta over baseline (DOB) was determined, and UHR was calculated to normalize the DOB values for endogenous CO 2 production. Results: There was significant difference between the DOB values of children under 6 years and those of children over 6 years in H. pylori ‐positive ( p = .029) and ‐negative groups ( p = .002). On applying the UHR, no significant difference was observed between the UHR values of children under 6 years and those of children over 6 years in H. pylori ‐positive ( p = .877) and ‐negative groups ( p = .427). In 12.6% children under 6 years, false‐positive results were observed on applying the DOB, and in 9.0% on applying the UHR ( p = .125). Conclusions: The 13 C‐UBT is a noninvasive method exhibiting high diagnostic accuracy with both UHR as well as DOB. However, high false‐positive results for 13 C‐UBT were noted in children below 6 years on applying both UHR as well as DOB. Thus, this may not only be due to the effects of endogenous CO 2 production but also due to other factors.