Eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori by classic triple therapy in Lebanon: Is it still effective?

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori is considered the most common bacteria worldwide with a prevalence about 50% in developed countries and can reach up to 80-90% in developing countries. The first line agent for eradication of H. pylori has always been the classic triple therapy. However, recent data has shown the decline of the efficacy of this regimen due to antibiotics resistance. In Lebanon, due to the scarcity of data over the resistance rate of antibiotics and the efficacy of triple therapy, our study proposed a retrospective analysis of the eradication rate of H. pylori by classic triple therapy in the South of Lebanon between 2007 and 2014. Materials and methods: A total of 168 patients were found eligible for the inclusion criteria in an 8-year data retrieval. The factors studied were (obesity, age, gender and smoking). The included patients received either one of the classic triple therapy regimens for 7, 10, or 14 days with no previous eradication, and followed up by at least one month after treatment with Urea breath test. Results: 61.9% of patients were found to be sensitive to triple therapy, whereas 38.1% were resistant. There was no statistical significance between gender, age, and smoking history, method of diagnosis or type of triple therapy with p > 0.05. Adherence to treatment was good. No adverse effects were reported. Conclusions: Our results showed suboptimal eradication rate by triple therapy. Thus, triple therapy should no more be considered the first line therapy for H. pylori eradication in Lebanon.