[Clinical factors that predicts successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori]

Antibiotic resistance and compliance are regarded to be important which affect the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). However, it is not easy to apply the antibiotic resistance test in clinical field. We investigated other clinical factors predicting the successful eradication of H. pylori.

From January 2004 to March 2005, 195 patients with documented H. pylori infection received proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based triple therapy for one week and were assessed for the underlying chronic illnesses, smoking, alcohol habit, therapeutic indication and compliance.

The intention-to-treat (ITT) eradication rates were 69.2%, while per protocol (PP) analysis with 169 patients showed an initial eradication rate of 79.9%. The eradication rates of H. pylori according to the underlying disease were 73.9% (17/23) in diabetes, 66.7% (18/27) in hypertension, 66.7% (2/3) in renal disease, 100% (9/9) in liver disease, 63.7% (7/11) in cardiovascular disease and 64.3% (9/14) in chronic NSAIDs user. There was no statistical difference in the eradication rates according to the therapeutic indication, underlying disease, sex, age, smoking, alcohol, and PPI. However, the eradication rate was statistically lower in patients with multiple underlying diseases. Eradication rate was significantly higher in patients with good compliance than in those with poor compliance in taking medications (p<0.05).

Underlying chronic disease does not affect the H. pylori eradication rate significantly. In clinical practice, apart from antibiotic resistance test, drug compliance is the most important factor affecting the H. pylori eradication rate.