SHORT-TERM LOW-DOSE PANTOPRAZOLE-BASED TRIPLE THERAPY FOR CURE OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION IN DUODENAL-ULCER PATIENTS

Background: The eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection has been achieved using various therapy regimens, but the efficacy of the proto n-pump inhibitor pantoprazole as part of these regimens has not yet be en widely tested. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a 1-week low-dose pantoprazole-based triple therapy in patients with H. pylori-positive duodenal ulcer. Methods: In an open single-centre pros pective study, 71 patients with endoscopically proven active duodenal ulcer and H, pylori infection received pantoprazole 40 mg o.m. for 4 w eeks, and during the first week a combination antimicrobial treatment comprising tinidazole 500 mg b.d. plus clarithomycin 250 mg b.d. H. py lori eradication was defined as concordant negative histology and rapi d urease test performed at endoscopy 4-6 weeks after the end of treatm ent, confirmed 4 weeks later by C-13-urea breath test. Results: Sixty- six patients (93%) completed the trial and five patients were lost to follow-up. H, pylori infection was cured in 61 out of the 66 patients who completed the trial (per-protocol analysis: 92.4%, 95% CI: 83.2-97 .5%; intention-to-treat analysis: 85.9%, 95% CI: 75.7-93.0%), At anal endoscopy, 65 out of 66 patients had healed ulcer (98.5%). Mild advers e events occurred in six patients (9.1%). Conclusions: One-week low-do se pantoprazole-based triple therapy is a simple, effective and well-t olerated regimen for ulcer healing and H. pylori eradication in patien ts with duodenal ulcer.