THE EFFICACY OF THE BISMUTH-CONTAINING QUADRUPLE REGIMEN IN HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFETION

Background and Objectives: Bismuth-containing quadruple regimen is recommended as an first-line therapy in areas with high clarithromycin and metronidazole resistance as well as an option for patients who have previously failed to respond to Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. There have been very few researches on the effectiveness of this regimen on Helicobacter pylori infection treatment in our country. The our study aimed to show the efficacy of Bismuth-based therapy for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection. Patients and Methods: The study was carried out on 196 patients with Helicobacter pylori infection. All of patients received a quadruple therapy consisted of Rapeprazole 20 mg bid, Colloidal bismuth subcitrate 120mg qid, Tetracycline 500mg qid and Metronidazole 500mg tid for 14 days. The diagnosis of Helicobacter Pylori infection was performed by Clotest or C13 urea-breath test. Four to eight weeks after completion of therapy, Helicobacter pylori status was rechecked by Clotest or C13 urea-breath test. Results: A total of 196 patients with Helicobacter pylori infection were recruited. The eradication rates of the Bismuth-containing quadruple regimen overall, fornaïve,previously failed to respond to Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy on intention to treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analysis were 97.4-97.3%; 98.3-98.1% and 96.3-96.2%. Side effects occurred in 80.5% of subjects. The common side effects were fatigue, anorexia and nausea. The compliancerate was 98.4%. Conclusions: Bismuth-containing quadruple regimen achieved very highe radication rates. Side effects were common but not serious. The medication adherence rate was high. Key words: Bismuth-containing quadruple regimen, eradication, Helicobacter pylori infection