Helicobacter pylori: antibiotic resistance and eradication rates in Suffolk, UK, 1991-2001

Helicobacter pylori infection causes a number of gastrointestinal diseases and its current treatment is based on multidrug regimes including acid suppression and antimicrobials. The success of these regimes is determined by a number of factors including antibiotic resistance, which varies widely but is an increasing problem. Local data are important in establishing the most cost-effective eradication regime. Data have been collected prospectively on antibiotic resistance at Ipswich Hospital (Suffolk, UK) in all consecutive isolates of H. pylori from 1991 to 2001. The success of regimes consisting of a proton pump inhibitor, amoxycillin and metronidazole (PPI/A/M) has also been evaluated in patients found positive on serological testing in primary care using urea breath testing. Overall, metronidazole resistance was found in 31.7 % of isolates and clarithromycin resistance in 5.3 %. A significant increase in metronidazole resistance from 29.1 to 37.0 % (P = 0.022) and a decrease in clarithromycin resistance from 10.3 to 3.8 % (P = 0.014) was seen over the study period. Metronidazole resistance was significantly more common in women (P < 0.001) and young patients (P < 0.001). Eradication with PPI/A/M was successful in 89.9 % of patients and did not change significantly over the study period. Eradication rates were lower in young patients (P < 0.001). Whilst metronidazole resistance is increasing in Suffolk, this does not seem to have a significant effect on eradication rates. Metronidazole-based regimes are still effective first-line treatments in most patients.