Sequential and Hybrid Therapies for H Pylori Infection

The purpose of this study is to test whether the 14-day sequential therapy ( esomeprazole plus amoxicillin dual therapy for 7 days followed by triple therapy with esomeprazole, clarithromycin, and metronidazole for 7 days) or 14-day hybird therapy (esomeprazole plus amoxicillin dual therapy for 7 days followed by quadruple therapy with esomeprazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and metronidazole for 7 days) can achieve an eradication rate equal to or more than 95%.

A total of 240 subjects will be asked to participate in this study.

H. pylori-infected patients are randomized to either a 14-day sequential therapy (esomeprazole 40 mg and amoxicillin 1 g twice daily for 7 days followed by esomeprazole 40 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg and metronidazole 500 mg twice daily for 7 days) or a hybrid therapy (esomeprazole 40 mg and amoxicillin 1 g twice daily for 7 days followed by esomeprazole 40 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, clarithromycin 500 mg and metronidazole 500 mg twice daily for 7 days).

Eradication efficacy is assessed by a follow-up endoscopy with rapid urease test and histological examination eight weeks after the end of anti-H. pylori therapy. The eradication rates of the two study groups will be compared.

A successful regimen is defined as a regimen achieving an eradication rate equal to or more than 95%.

Inclusion criteria

• consecutive H. pylori-infected outpatients, at least 18 years of age, with endoscopically proven peptic ulcer diseases or gastritis

Exclusion criteria

• previous H. pylori-eradication therapy
• ingestion of antibiotics, bismuth, or PPIs within the prior 4 weeks
• patients with allergic history to the medications used
• patients with previous gastric surgery
• the coexistence of serious concomitant illness (for example, decompensated liver cirrhosis, uremia)
• pregnant women.