HELICOBACTER-PYLORI AND PEPTIC-ULCER DISEASE THERAPIES - A SURVEY OF GASTROENTEROLOGISTS IN ISRAEL

Background. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori has become a therapeuti c option in the treatment of patients with peptic ulcer disease. The a im of this study was to evaluate the current management strategies of Israeli gastroenterologists in the diagnosis and treatment of H. pylor i-related peptic ulcer disease, 14 years after the discovery of H. pyl ori. Materials and Methods. A questionnaire was mailed to all speciali sts in gastroenterology, members of the Israel Gastroenterological Ass ociation (IGA). Replies were received from 60% of Israel Board-certifi ed gastroenterology specialists. Results. Over 89% of the gastroentero logists (89.1%) noted that they recommend anti-H. pylori treatment. 94 .5% said that they treat duodenal ulcer in the first presentation with anti-H. pylori medication and 75% said that they do so in cases of re current duodenal ulcer. According to the replies received, there is a strong consensus towards triple treatment as the favored anti-H. pylor i treatment; no one noted the use of dual treatment. Seven-day triple treatment was prescribed by 83.6% of the gastroenterologists who respo nded. Of these, the great majority, 89.1%, stated that they use proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in combination with any two of the following an tibiotics: metronidazole (47.3%), tinidazole (29.1%), clarithromycin ( 61.8%), and amoxicillin (40%). Conclusion. At the time of the survey, most Israel Board-certified gastroenterology specialists prescribed tr iple anti-H. pylori treatment of one-week's duration.