One-week ranitidine bismuth citrate-based triple therapy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori in Hong Kong with high prevalence of metronidazole resistance

Aim: To compare 1-week ranitidine bismuth citrate-based (RBC) triple therap y vs. omeprazole-based (O) triple therapy for the eradication of Helicobact er pylori infection in Hong Kong with high prevalence of metronidazole resi stance. Methods: Patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia and H. pylori infection were ran domized to receive either: (i) RBCCM: ranitidine bismuth citrate (pylorid) 400 mg, clarithromycin 250 mg and metronidazole 400 mg; or (ii) OCM: omepra zole 20 mg, clarithromycin 250 mg and metronidazole 400 mg, each given twic e daily for 1 week. Endoscopy (CLO test, histology and culture) and C-13-ur ea breath test were performed before randomization and 6 weeks after drug t reatment. Results: A total of 180 patients were randomized. H. pylori eradication rat es (intention-to-treat, n = 180/per protocol, n = 166) were 83%/92% for RBC CM and 66%/70% for OCM (P = 0.01, intention-to-treat and P = 0.001, per pro tocol, respectively). RBCCM treatment was unaffected by metronidazole susce ptibility and achieved a significantly higher eradication rate in metronida zole-resistant cases (89%) than the OCM group (45%, P = 0.0064). Conclusion: One-week ranitidine bismuth citrate-based triple therapy is sig nificantly better than omeprazole-based triple therapy for the eradication of H. pylori infection, especially in metronidazole-resistant cases. It is an effective regimen for the eradication of H. pylori infection in regions with a high prevalence of metronidazole resistance.