TRIPLE COMBINATION THERAPY IN THE ERADICATION OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI

Abstract

A prospective study was planned to evaluate the correlation of Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) and peptic ulcer disease and effectiveness of the triple combination therapy in eradication of H. pylori. A total number of 116 consecutive patients with dyspeptic symptoms were scoped between May and December 1994. Four biopsy specimens, two antral and two duodenal, were taken for histologic and microbiologic investigation of H. pylori. Seventy-six H. pylori positive patients with histologically confirmed gastritis/duodenitis were included in triple eradication therapy which consisted of bismuth potassium citrat 300 mg four fimes daily for four weeks, metranidazole 500 mg thrice daily for two weeks, tetracyclin HCI 500 mg four times daily for two weeks. Thirty-six patients (47.3 %) were excluded from study due to compliance problem (26 patients), adverse effects of drugs (9) and lost in follow-up (11). Therapy was completed in 40 patients and H. pylori eradication was successful in 33 (82.5 %) of them. Triple combination therapy was effective when the therapy sheme could be followed. However, the number of patients who were excluded from the study due to compliance problem was unacceptably high.