Prevalence and Different Treatment Regimens of Helicobacter pylori Infection among Adult Saudi Residents: Three-years retrospective Single Center Study

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is common and can be treated using multiple treatment regimens. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori infection among Saudi residents presenting to Outpatient Clinic (OPC) and evaluate the treatment response to different regimens. Methodology: This retrospective single-center study included patients who presented to the OPC with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and underwent stool antigen testing for H. pylori between January 2019 and December 2022. The demographic, laboratory and treatment response data were collected from patients using the hospital's software system. Results: The study included 1541 patients (731 females and 810 males) with median age of 39 years. Patients with H. pylori infection were significantly older than those without infection (P=0.004). The most used anti H. pylori was levofloxacin-based regimens (37.5%) followed by clarithromycin-based regimens (30.3%). The highest eradication rate of H. pylori infection was associated with Gemifloxacin-based regimens (75%) then levofloxacin-based regimens (71.9%) and lowest eradication rate with moxifloxacin-based regimen (51.6%). However, there were no significant differences in eradication rates between the different treatment regimens (P = 0.391). Conclusions: H. pylori infection is common among Saudi residents presenting to the OPC with GI symptoms, particularly older individuals. The response rate is relatively similar among patients receiving different anti-H. pylori treatment regimens.