Optimal length of triple therapy for H pylori eradication in a population with high prevalence of infection in Chile

AIM:To compare the efficacy of 7-d versus 14-d triple therapy for the treatment of H pylori infection in Chile,with a prevalence of 73% in general population. METHODS:H pylori-infected patients diagnosed by rapid urease test,with non-ulcer dyspepsia or peptic ulcer disease were randomized to receive omeprazole 20 mg bid,amoxicillin 1 g bid,and clarithromycin 500 mg bid for 7 (OAC7) or 14 (OAC14) d. Primary outcome was eradication rate 6 wk after the treatment. Subgroup analysis was carried out considering the eradication rate among patients with or without peptic ulcer disease and eradication rate among smokers or non-smokers. RESULTS:One hundred and thirty-one patients were randomized to OAC7 (n = 69) or OAC14 (n = 62). The overall eradication rate (intention-to-treat) was 78.3% in OAC7 and 85.5% in OAC14 groups,without a significant difference (P =0.37). No significant difference in the eradication rate was found among the patients with peptic ulcer disease (n = 31) between the OAC7 group (85.7%) and OAC14 group (87.5%). However,smokers had an obviously lower eradication rate compared to non-smokers,particularly in the OAC7 group (57.1% in smokers vs 83.6% in non-smokers; P = 0.06). Adverse effects rate were similar between both groups. CONCLUSION:Short-term efficacy of triple therapy with OAC for 7 d is comparable to 14 d in this high-prevalence population. Longer follow-up,and studies focused to some subgroups of patients (smokers and non-ulcerpatients) are necessary to support widespread use of 7-d instead of 10-14-d triple therapy in a developing country like Chile.