Amoxicillin plus omeprazole versus triple therapy for eradication of Helicobacter pylori in duodenal ulcer disease: a prospective, randomized, and controlled study.

Treatment with amoxicillin and omeprazole resulted in encouraging Helicobacter pylori eradication rates in pilot studies that included medium term follow up. These results were evaluated in a prospective, randomised and controlled study. Forty patients with active duodenal ulcer disease and H pylori colonisation of the gastric mucosa were randomly assigned to receive either omeprazole (20 mg twice daily) and amoxicillin suspension (500 mg four times daily) for two weeks (group I) or bismuth subsalicylate (600 mg three times daily), metronidazole (400 mg three times daily), tetracycline (500 mg three times daily), and ranitidine (300 mg in the evening) for two weeks (group II). Study medication was followed in both groups by a four week treatment course with 300 mg ranitidine up to the final examination. One patient from each group was lost to follow up. H pylori was eradicated in 78.9% of group I and 84.2% of group II (p = 1.00). All ulcers in patients on omeprazole plus amoxicillin healed but in the triple treatment group four patients had residual peptic lesions after six weeks (ulcer healing rate: 78.9%, p = 0.11). Complete pain relief occurred after a median duration of 1 day in group I and of 6 days in group II (p = 0.03). There were no major complications in either group but minor side effects were more frequently recorded in patients on triple therapy (63.2% v 15.8%, p < 0.01). In conclusion, two weeks of treatment with omeprazole plus amoxicillin is as good as triple therapy plus ranitidine in eradicating H pylori but seems better with regard to safety, pain relief, and ulcer healing. Thus, amoxicillin plus omeprazole should be recommended as the treatment of choice in eradicating H pylori in patients with duodenal ulcer disease.     

Efficacy of high-dose dual therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection eradication in servicemen:a randomized controlled trial

<正>Objective To assess the efficacy and costeffectiveness of high-dose dual therapy compared with bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for treating Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection in servicemen patients.Methods A total of 160 H.pylori-infected,treatment-naive servicemen,including 74 men and 86women,aged from 20 years to 74 years,with a mean(SD) age of 43 (13) years,tested in the First Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from March 2022 to May2022 were enrolled in this open-labe...     

Sequential therapy versus standard triple-drug therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication: A randomized study

Background

Antimicrobial resistance has decreased eradication rates for Helicobacter pylori infection worldwide. A sequential treatment schedule has been reported to be effective, but studies published to date were performed in Italy. We undertook this study to determine whether these results could be replicated in India.

Methods

A randomized, open-labeled, prospective controlled trial comparing sequential vs. standard triple-drug therapy was carried out at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, Mumbai. Two hundred and thirty-one patients with dyspepsia were randomized to a 10-day sequential regimen (40 mg of pantoprazole, 1 g of amoxicillin, each administered twice daily for the first 5 days, followed by 40 mg of pantoprazole, 500 mg of clarithromycin, and 500 mg of tinidazole, each administered twice daily for the remaining 5 days) or to standard 14-day therapy (40 mg of pantoprazole, 500 mg of clarithromycin, and 1 g of amoxicillin, each administered twice daily).

Results

The eradication rate achieved with the sequential regimen was significantly greater than that obtained with the triple therapy. Per-protocol eradication rate of sequential therapy was 92.4 % (95 % CI 85.8–96.1 %) vs. 81.8 % (95 % CI 73.9–87.8 %) (p?=?0.027) for standard drug therapy. Intention-to-treat eradication rates were 88.2 % (95 % CI 80.9–93.0 %) vs. 79.1 % (95 % CI 71.1–85.4 %), p?=?0.029, respectively. The incidence of major and minor side effects between therapy groups was not significantly different (14.6 % in the triple therapy group vs. 23.5 % in sequential group, p?=?0.12). Follow up was incomplete in 3.3 % and 4.7 % patients in standard and sequential therapy groups, respectively. Sequential therapy includes one additional antibiotic (tinidazole) that is not contained in standard therapy.

Conclusions

Sequential therapy was significantly better than standard therapy for eradicating H. pylori infection.     

Omeprazole triple therapy versus omeprazole quadruple therapy for healing duodenal ulcer and eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection: a 24-month follow-up study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of omeprazole triple therapy versus omeprazole quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, single-centre, investigator-blind study. SETTINGS: Departments of Gastroenterology and Histopathology, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece. METHODS: One hundred and forty-nine consecutive patients with active duodenal ulcer were randomized to receive omeprazole (20 mg b.d.), amoxicillin (1 g b.d.) and clarithromycin (0.5 g b.d.) (OAC, n = 78), or omeprazole (20 mg b.d.), colloidal bismuth subcitrate (120 mg q.i.d.), metronidazole (0.5 g t.i.d.) and tetracycline hydrochloride (0.5 g q.i.d.) (OBMT, n = 71) for 10 days. Patients' symptoms were scored, and compliance and treatment-related side effects were assessed. Endoscopy was performed before treatment and at 10-12 weeks and 12 months after treatment. H. pylori infection and its successful eradication were sought by histology, immunohistochemistry and campylobacter-like organisms (CLO) tests on multiple biopsies taken from the gastric antrum, corpus and fundus. Patients were re-evaluated clinically and underwent a C-urea breath test (UBT) at 21-24 months. Those with dyspepsia and/or recrudescence of H. pylori were re-endoscoped. RESULTS: Patient groups were comparable for age, sex, smoking, occasional use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and current or past bleeding episodes. Six and seven patients in the OAC and OBMT treatment groups, respectively, were lost to follow-up. Eight patients were non-compliant. Two ulcers in the OAC group and one in the OBMT group did not heal. By intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses, ulcer healing rates were 86% (67/78) and 97% (67/69), respectively, for the OAC group, and 82% (58/71) and 98% (58/59), respectively, for the OBMT group. H. pylori eradication at 10-12 weeks after treatment was 78% (61/78) and 88% (61/69) for OAC, and 65% (46/71) and 78% (46/59) for OBMT, by ITT and PP analyses, respectively (P > 0.1). Side effects were more common with OBMT. Relapse rates of H. pylori were 3% and 2% for the first and second years, respectively. Four H. pylori-negative patients developed reflux symptoms, but only two developed erosive oesophagitis between 12 and 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: OAC and OBMT were equally effective in healing active duodenal ulcers and eradicating H. pylori, but OAC should be used as a first-line treatment because of its better tolerance.     

The AMOR study: a randomized, double-blinded trial of omeprazole versus ranitidine together with amoxycillin and metronidazole for eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND: Besides antibiotics, additionally effective acid inhibition is necessary for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori. OBJECTIVE: To assess the significance of acid suppression and, in particular, treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) compared with H2 receptor antagonists (H2 RAs). The primary target parameter for the study was H. pylori eradication. In addition, the ulcer healing rate, speed of pain reduction, score for gastritis in the antrum and gastric body, and rate of side effects were recorded. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blinded, multicentre study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 456 patients between the ages of 18 and 80 years with H. pylori-positive duodenal ulcers were included in the study. METHODS: Using a randomization list, patients were assigned either to a treatment group receiving omeprazole 40 mg once daily, amoxycillin 750 mg three times a day, and metronidazole 500 mg three times a day (OAM), or to a group receiving ranitidine 300 mg once daily, amoxycillin 750 mg three times a day, and metronidazole 500 mg three times a day (RAM). The treatment period was 7 days in both groups. Long-term acid-suppressant treatment was not given. RESULTS: The eradication rate was 87.1% (169/194, intention to treat [ITT]) in the OAM group and 77% (137/ 178, ITT) in the RAM group. The difference of 10.1% (95% CI 2.5-18%) is statistically significant (P= 0.0104). The ulcer healing rate was 93.3% in the OAM group (181/194, ITT) and 92.1% in the RAM group (164/178, ITT, NS). With regard to the speed and intensity of pain reduction, the OAM group was superior to the RAM group. In patients in whom H. pylori eradication was successful, the reduction in the antral and gastric body gastritis score was significantly greater than in patients without eradication. In the OAM group, 39.1% of the patients (n = 90) reported one or more side effects, compared with 44.7% (n = 101) in the RAM group (P= 1.5449, NS). CONCLUSION: Omeprazole (40 mg once daily in the morning) is significantly more effective than ranitidine (300 mg once daily in the morning) with respect to H. pylori eradication when used together with amoxycillin (750 mg three times a day) and metronidazole (500 mg three times a day) for a 7-day treatment period.     

Famotidine versus omeprazole, in combination with amoxycillin and tinidazole, for eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND: Eradication regimens combining two antibiotics with a proton pump inhibitor have been studied intensively. In contrast, only a few studies have focused on the possible role of H2-receptor antagonists in eradication therapy. The mechanism involved in the synergy between antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors is still controversial. OBJECTIVES: To compare the results of two triple-therapy regimens, different only in the antisecretory drugs used, in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection, and to assess the impact of primary resistance to metronidazole on treatment outcome. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with peptic ulcer and non-ulcer dyspepsia were randomly assigned to a 2-week course of either: famotidine 40 mg twice a day, amoxycillin 1 g twice a day and tinidazole 500 mg twice a day (FAT group; n = 60); or omeprazole 20 mg twice a day, amoxycillin 1 g twice a day and tinidazole 500 mg twice a day (OAT group; n = 60). Upper endoscopy was performed prior to treatment and at least 4 weeks after completion of treatment and discontinuation of the antisecretory therapy. H. pylori status was assessed by a biopsy urease test, histology and culture. RESULTS: In the intention-to-treat analysis, eradication of H. pylori was achieved in 48 of the 60 patients (80%; 95% confidence interval: 70-90%) in the FAT group, compared to 50 of the 60 patients (83.3%; 95% confidence interval: 74-93%) in the OAT group. In the per protocol analysis, eradication therapy was achieved in 48 out of 53 patients (90.6%; 95% confidence interval: 83-98%) treated with FAT and 50 out of 57 patients (87.7%; 95% confidence interval: 79-96%) treated with OAT (not significant). The primary metronidazole resistance was present in 28.8% of strains. Overall, per protocol eradication rates in strains resistant and susceptible to metronidazole were 83.3% and 91.3% respectively (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Two-week courses of either high-dose famotidine or omeprazole, both combined with amoxycillin and tinidazole, are equally effective for eradication of H. pylori infection. In a 2-week triple therapy, metronidazole resistance has no significant impact on eradication rates.     

Helicobacter pylori eradication versus prokinetics in the treatment of functional dyspepsia: a randomized, double-blind study

Background This randomized, double-blind study compared the efficacy of Helicobacter pylori eradication against prokinetics in H. pylori-infected functional dyspepsia patients. Methods Patients with moderately severe or severe dyspepsia fulfilling the Rome II criteria were randomized to either H. pylori eradication for 1 week and 6 weeks of placebo prokinetics or 6 weeks of prokinetics and placebo H. pylori eradication in the first week. Symptoms were assessed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months using the Glasgow Dyspepsia Severity Score (GDSS). Global response to treatment was assessed at 12 months. Results Altogether 130 patients were enrolled (H. pylori eradication, 71; prokinetics, 59). The mean baseline GDSS was 9.3 for the H. pylori eradication group and 8.9 for the prokinetic group. At 6 months, the score was 3.6 and 4.1, respectively, and it remained at 3.5 and 3.8, respectively, at 12 months. With H. pylori eradication, 31.0% had complete symptom resolution (GDSS 0 or 1) at 12 months compared with 23.7% with prokinetics (a nonsignificant difference). At 12 months, global symptomatic improvement was seen in 62.0% of the H. pylori eradication group compared with 67.8% of the prokinetics group. Conclusions Both H. pylori eradication and prokinetic therapy resulted in symptom improvement in two-thirds of dyspeptic patients at 1 year. More patients tended to achieve complete symptom relief with H. pylori eradication.     

Multi-center randomized controlled study to establish the standard third-line regimen for Helicobacter pylori eradication in Japan

Backgrounds

The present study sought to establish a standard third-line eradication regimen for Helicobacter pylori in Japan.

Methods

Subjects were 204 patients with H. pylori infection in whom the standard Japanese first- and second-line eradication therapies had proven unsuccessful. Patients were randomly assigned to one of the following third-line eradication therapy groups: (1) LA group: lansoprazole (LPZ) 30 mg 4 times a day (qid) + amoxicillin (AMPC) 500 mg qid for two weeks; (2) LAL group: LPZ 30 mg twice a day (bid) + AMPC 750 mg bid + levofloxacin (LVFX) 300 mg bid for one week; (3) LAS group: LPZ 30 mg bid + AMPC 750 mg bid + sitafloxacin (STFX) 100 mg bid for one week. Patients for whom these therapies failed underwent a crossover fourth-line eradication regimen. Drug sensitivity was also tested for AMPC, clarithromycin (CAM), MNZ, LVFX, and STFX.

Results

Drug resistance rates prior to third-line eradication therapy were 86.4 % for CAM, 71.3 % for MNZ, 57.0 % for LVFX, 8.2 % for AMPC, and 7.7 % for STFX. Intention-to-treat analysis of third-line eradication therapy eradication rates showed a significantly higher rate in the LAS group (70.0 %) compared with the LA group (54.3 %; p < 0.05) and the LAL group (43.1 %; p < 0.001). The significantly lower rate in the LAL group than the LAS group was caused by bacterial resistance to LVFX.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that triple therapy with PPI, AMPC, and STFX for one week would be an effective standard third-line eradication regimen for H. pylori in Japan.     

Concomitant versus sequential therapy for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection: a Greek randomized prospective study

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare, in Greece, a region with >20% local resistance to clarithromycin, the efficacy rates of the concomitant versus the sequential H. pylori eradication therapy. Materials and methods: Our prospective randomized study included 364 patients with newly diagnosed H. pylori infection, randomized to receive a 10-day concomitant or 10-day sequential therapy. Treatment outcome was assessed by C¹³-urea breath test at least 4 weeks after therapy. Intention to treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analysis of the eradication rates were performed. Secondary end points included patient compliance and safety. Results: The concomitant therapy group achieved statistically significant higher eradication rates when compared with the sequential treatment group, both in the ITT and in the PP analysis (84.6% versus 70.9%, p?=?0.002, and 90.6% versus 78.1%, p?=?0.001, respectively), after adjusting for age, gender, smoking status, and the presence or not of ulcer and/or non-ulcer dyspepsia. Both groups displayed excellent compliance rates (99.5% for the concomitant therapy group and 96.2% for the sequential therapy group, p?=?0.067). Regarding treatment safety, major adverse events that led to the discontinuation of both regimens were few, with no statistical difference between the two groups (7.0% for the concomitant therapy group and 2.9% for the sequential therapy group). Conclusions: Concomitant therapy led to statistically significant higher eradication rates over sequential therapy. Both therapies showed excellent compliance and an acceptable safety profile. The 10-day quadruple concomitant scheme should be the adopted for first-line H. pylori eradication in Greece.     

泮托拉唑四联5d疗法与7d疗法随机对照研究

目的:比较泮妥拉唑四联5d疗法和7d疗法的Hpylori根除率和症状缓解率.方法:H pylori阳性的胃炎、胃溃疡或十二指肠患者70例随机接受5d(34例)或7d(36例)泮妥拉唑四联疗法:泮妥拉唑40mg、克拉霉素250mg、阿莫西林1.0g和胶体枸橼酸铋钾220 mg,均为2次/d.根除治疗后第4周复查H pylori是否根除,了解症状缓解情况.结果:5d组H pylori根除率为84.8%(PP)和82.4%(ITT),7d组H pylori根除率为88.2%(PP)和83.3%(ITT),5d组疼痛缓解率为72.0%(PP)和69.2%(ITT),7d组疼痛缓解率为83.9%(ITT)和89.7%(PP).按PP及ITT组群分析,两组方案H pylori根除率及疼痛缓解率无明显差异,两组患者均未出现严重不良反应.结论:泮妥拉唑四联5d疗法可以获得较高的H pylori根除率和疼痛缓解率,可以作为H pylori根除治疗的一线治疗方案.     

Helicobacter pylori eradication: a randomized prospective study of triple therapy versus triple therapy plus lactoferrin and probiotics

OBJECTIVES: Helicobacter pylori is causally associated with gastritis and peptic ulcer diseases. Recent data (meta-analysis) have demonstrated that triple therapy with amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and a proton pump inhibitor has an eradication rate of only 74-76% and new therapeutic protocols may be necessary. The aim of this study was to examine whether adding bovine lactoferrin (bLf) and probiotics (Pbs) to the standard triple therapy for H. pylori infection could improve the eradication rate and reduce side effects. METHODS: H. pylori infection was diagnosed in 206 patients: in 107 based on an upper endoscopy exam and a rapid urease test, and in 99 by means of the H. pylori stool antigen-test and the C(13) urea breath test (C(13) UBT). The patients were randomized into two groups: 101 patients (group A) underwent standard triple eradication therapy (esomeprazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin), while 105 patients (group B) underwent a modified eradication therapy (standard triple eradication therapy plus bLf and Pb). Successful eradication therapy was defined as a negative C(13) UBT 8 wk after completion of the treatment. Results were evaluated by intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analysis. Data were evaluated and considered positive when P<0.05. RESULTS: At the end of the study 175/206 patients showed negative C(13) UBT results. According to intention-to-treat analysis, the infection was eradicated in 73/101 patients from Group A and in 93/105 from Group B. PP analysis showed 73/96 patients from Group A and 93/101 from Group B to have been successfully treated. More patients from group A than from group B reported side effects from their treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that the addition of bLf and Pbs could improve the standard eradication therapy for H. pylori infection--bLf serving to increase the eradication rate and Pbs to reduce the side effects of antibiotic therapy.     

Seven versus ten days of rabeprazole triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication: a multicenter randomized trial

BACKGROUND: Ten-day triple therapy is somewhat more effective than 7-day treatment for curing Helicobacter pylori infection. Recent studies have suggested that rabeprazole-a proton pump inhibitor with fast onset of acid inhibition-could raise the efficacy of 7-day therapies to the levels obtained with 10-day treatment. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of 7- and 10-day rabeprazole-based triple therapy for H. pylori eradication. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four hundred and fifty-eight patients were randomized to 7 or 10 days of triple therapy, including rabeprazole 20 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, and amoxicillin 1 g, all twice a day. Cure rates were evaluated by urea breath test. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-seven patients received 7-day and 221 received 10-day therapy. Groups were comparable in terms of demographic variables. Intention to treat cure rates were 73.8% (95% CI: 67-79%) for 7-day and 79.6% (95%: CI:74-85%) for 10-day therapy (p= 0.09). Per-protocol cure rates were 81.8% (95% CI:76-86%) and 89.3% (95% CI: 84-93%), p= 0.02, respectively. Cure rates were similar in peptic ulcer patients but in subjects without ulcer they were clearly lower for 7-day therapy: 66%versus 77% by intention to treat (p= 0.08) and 73%versus 91% in the per-protocol analysis (p= 0.004). Side effects and compliance in the two groups were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Seven- and 10-day triple therapies seem equally efficient in peptic ulcer patients. In contrast, 7-day therapy is significantly less effective in nonulcer dyspepsia patients. Ten-day therapy, therefore, seems preferable when treating nonulcer patients.     

Preoperative versus postoperative Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy in gastric cancer patients: a randomized trial

OBJECTIVES: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication is strongly recommended for gastric cancer patients who undergo subtotal gastrectomy. The efficacy of proton pump inhibitor-based triple therapy for H. pylori eradication has not been adequately assessed in the gastric remnant. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of postoperative versus preoperative H. pylori eradication therapy. METHODS: A total of 138 distal gastric cancer patients with H. pylori infection were randomized to receive either preoperative (preop, N = 68) or postoperative (postop, N = 70) proton pump inhibitor-based triple therapy for H. pylori eradication. The regimen consisted of rabeprazole 10 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, and amoxicillin 1,000 mg, all twice daily for 7 days. Eradication was assessed by rapid urease test and histology 12 wk after surgery. RESULTS: By intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, H. pylori eradication rates were 84.6% (95% CI 73.5-92.4) in the preop group and 83.1% (95% CI 71.7-91.2) in the postop group (P= 0.99). By per protocol (PP) analysis, the rates were 87.3% (95% CI 76.5-94.4) in the preop group and 86.9% (95% CI 75.8-94.2) in the postop group (P= 0.99). In the postop group, eradication rates did not differ with reconstruction method (Billroth I vs II, 80.4%[95% CI 66.1-90.6]vs 89.5%[95% CI 66.9-98.7] by ITT analysis (P= 0.49), and 85.7%[95% CI 71.5-94.6]vs 89.5% (95% CI 66.9-98.7) by PP analysis, P= 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: In distal gastric cancer patients, the effect of proton pump inhibitor-based triple therapy for H. pylori eradication was not different whether given postoperatively or preoperatively.     

A prospective randomized study of amoxycillin and omeprazole with and without metronidazole in the eradication treatment of Helicobacter pylori

A combination of amoxycillin and omeprazole is often used to treat Helicobacter pylori infection. A three-drug regimen comprising metronidazole, amoxycillin and omeprazole has been proposed as an alternative therapy. In a prospective, randomized, comparative study, we evaluated these two regimens with respect to safety and ef?cacy in patients with H. pylori infection. Sixty patients with peptic ulcer (gastric, 32 patients; duodenal, 28 patients) who had a history of ulcer recurrence were randomly assigned to dual therapy with amoxycillin (500 mg three times daily for 2 weeks) and omeprazole (20 mg once daily for 8 weeks) or to triple therapy with metronidazole (500 mg twice daily for 2 weeks) plus amoxycillin and omeprazole, given in the same dosages as dual therapy. Forty-eight patients completed the protocol; treatment was discontinued because of side effects in nine patients, and three patients dropped out of the study. On the basis of all patients treated, the rate of H. pylori eradication was signi?cantly higher for triple therapy 20/23 cases, 87.0%; 95% con?dence interval (CI), 0.664–0.972) than for dual therapy 13/25, 52.0%; 0.313–0.722; P < 0.05). On an intention-to-treat basis, the difference between the groups in the rate of H. pylori eradication was marginally signi?cant (P= 0.06 [0.028–0.512]). Side effects were reported by ?ve patients receiving triple therapy (skin rash, one; nausea, two; headache, one; abdominal pain, one), and four patients receiving dual therapy (skin rash, two; abdominal pain, one; diarrhoea, one). All side effects resolved spontaneously after termination of treatment. There was no signi?cant difference in safety between the two regimens. Triple therapy with metronidazole, amoxycillin, and omeprazole was signi?cantly more effective for the eradication of H. pylori than dual therapy with amoxycillin and omeprazole alone. The safety of these regimens was similar, and triple therapy was found to be clinically acceptable.     

Nitrofuran-based regimens for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection

Several aspects of Helicobacter pylori eradication have been meta-analyzed; however, nitrofuran-based therapies constitute an exception. The aim of this study was the systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of furazolidone- and nitrofurantoin-based regimens in the eradication of infection. Studies evaluating the effects of nitrofurans on H. pylori were identified from Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and congress abstracts. The studies were classified into groups based on first-, second- and third-line regimens. The pooled eradication rates and combined odd ratios of the individual studies were calculated and compared with the published meta-analysis. The factors influencing the efficiency of the regimens were also analyzed. Side-effects of nitrofuran-based regimens were also analyzed. The pooled eradication rate of primary proton pump inhibitor-based regimens containing furazolidone was 76.3% (CI 67.8-84.2). The odds ratio for furazolidone-based regimens versus standard triple therapies was 2.34 (CI 0.76-3.92). Ranitidine bismuth citrate + furazolidone-based triple regimens were equally efficient (83.5%, CI 74.0-93.0, P = 0.06 versus triple therapies). Schedules including a H(2) antagonist + furazolidone + one other antibiotic achieved pooled eradication rates of 79.9% (CI 67.8-89.9, P = 0.04). Bismuth-based triple therapies achieved 84.5% (CI 72.6-93.0, P = 0.002). Primary quadruple regimens containing furazolidone were superior to triple therapies (83.4%, CI 69.7-92.3, P = 0.01). Second-line schedules containing furazolidone obtained eradication rates of 76.1% (CI 66.4-85.0, P = 0.28 versus primary regimens). Third-line 'rescue' therapies were efficient in 65.5% of the cases (CI 56.3-75.5, P = 0.0001). Side-effects of the regimens containing furazolidone were more frequent than in standard therapies (P = 0.02). The combined odds ratio of side-effects for furazolidone-based versus standard therapies was 0.74 (CI 0.32-1.98). The duration of treatment, but not the furazolidone dose, influenced the treatment outcome. Primary triple regimens containing furazolidone are slightly less efficient than the standard primary combinations; primary quadruple regimens were more efficient than triple therapies. Furazolidone is also efficient as a component of second-line or rescue therapies.