Efficacy of 10-day Sequential Treatment for Helicobacter pylori Eradication

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and tolerability of a ten-day sequential regimen for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine, NESCOM Hospital, Islamabad Medical Complex, Pakistan from Aug 2021 to Aug 2022. Methodology: The patients were divided into two groups. The sequential therapy group (Group-A) was administered dual therapy including a proton pump inhibitor (Lansoprazole 30mg) plus Amoxicillin 1 gram given twice daily for first five days, followed by a triple therapy including Lansoprazole 30mg, Levofloxacin 500 mg and Tinidazole 500mg, all twice daily for remaining five days. Whereas traditional therapy group (Group-B) was given Lansoprazole 30 mg, Clarithromycin 500 mg, and Amoxicillin 1000 mg twice daily for total 14 days. Results: A total of 200 Helicobacter pylori positive cases were included. The mean age of all patients was 36.60±12.49 years whereas mean Body Mass Index was 28.19±4.02. A total of 140 patients had successful treatment in both groups out of which 87(87%) were in sequential treatment group and 53(53%) in the traditional treatment group (p-value <0.001). In terms of side effects, there were 18(8%) patients who suffered minor side effects out of which metallic taste was most common, 14(7%), followed by bloating and diarrhea. Both groups had comparable side effects (p =1.00). Conclusion: Even with comparable side effects, the innovative 10-day sequential medication for the treatment of H. pylori is more successful than traditional triple regimen.