Role of proton pump inhibitors dosage and duration in Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment: Results from the European Registry on H. pylori management

First-Line Therapy for Helicobacter pylori in Slovenia: Data From 2013 to 2023 of the European Registry on H. pylori Management

BACKGROUND

Treatment is indicated for all Helicobacter pylori infections. However, the best approach for H. pylori management remains unclear.

METHODS

H. pylori eradication data from Hp-EuReg on treatment-naive patients in Slovenia from 2013 to 2023 were included. The regimens prescribed, the number of eradication attempts, effectiveness, adherence, and safety were analyzed. The effectiveness was assessed by modified intention to treat (mITT).

RESULTS

Eight Slovenian medical institutions contributed data for 4016 treatment-naive patients to Hp-EuReg. Of these, 18% did not undergo confirmatory post-treatment; most who did received a urea breath test. Between 2013 and 2018, 7-day triple therapy with amoxicillin and clarithromycin was most frequently used in first-line treatment, with an 88% eradication rate. From 2019 to 2023, a 14-day high-dose PPI (esomeprazole 40 mg b.i.d.) triple therapy with amoxicillin and clarithromycin was used, showing a significantly higher effectiveness at 94% (p < 0.05). Quadruple bismuth-based therapy (esomeprazole 40 mg b.i.d., plus amoxicillin 500 mg, metronidazole 400 mg, and bismuth 120 mg, all q.i.d.) provided a 96.9% eradication rate, though this was not significantly better than the 14-day triple regimen. The H. pylori resistance rate to clarithromycin was 16% from 2013 to 2018, dropping to 13.5% from 2019 to 2023. Side effects were reported by 9.6% of patients, and treatment compliance was > 99%.

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggests that systematic data collection from routine clinical practice in Hp-EuReg can guide first-line H. pylori treatment. Established 90% treatment effectiveness threshold may serve as a surrogate marker for monitoring H. pylori resistance rates to antibiotics. In countries with a H. pylori resistance rate < 15%, such as Slovenia, the 14-day high-dose PPI amoxicillin-clarithromycin regimen is an optimal first-line empirical treatment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT02328131.

Therapeutic regimens against Helicobacter pylori infection without proton pump inhibitors in patients with corpus atrophic gastritis: a real-life single-centre longitudinal observational study

Background

Efficacy of eradication regimens in Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is commonly reported with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). In patients with corpus atrophic gastritis, characterized by impaired acid secretion, PPI treatment is questionable.

Objectives

The current study aimed to assess in clinical practice the tolerability and eradication rate of modified eradication regimens without PPI as first-line treatment in patients with histologically Hp-positive corpus atrophic gastritis.

Design

Real-life longitudinal observational study.

Methods

Overall, 76 patients (77.6% females, age 58.5 (26-88) years) with histologically Hp-positive corpus atrophic gastritis were consecutively diagnosed (2001-2022). First-line eradication treatment was prescribed without PPIs: concomitant or sequential amoxicillin-based therapy (ABT) until 2016 (n = 30), then single-pill bismuth treatment (SPBT; n = 46). Treatment adherence and adverse events were clinically evaluated and treatment efficacy was assessed by histopathology (updated Sydney system) at 6 ± 3 months after treatment.

Results

Only mild adverse events not requiring medical treatment were observed in four patients treated with SPBT without PPIs (vomiting, self-limiting diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal discomfort) and in two treated with ABT without PPIs (vomiting and abdominal discomfort). Overall, 71/76 (93.4%) corpus atrophic gastritis patients completed the treatment: 43/46 (93.5%) SPBT without PPIs and 28/30 (93.3%) ABT without PPIs. Successful cure of Hp was observed in 64/71 patients: overall eradication rate 90.1%, 95%CI 69.4%-115.1%. 42/43 corpus atrophic gastritis patients treated with SPBT without PPIs were successfully cured against 22/28 of those treated with ABT without PPIs. The eradication rate was higher for SPBT than ABT: 97.7%, 95%CI 70.4%-132.0% vs 78.6%, 95%CI 49.2%-118.9%, p = 0.013.

Conclusion

In clinical practice, Hp cure can be achieved without PPIs as first-line treatment in about 90% of patients with corpus atrophic gastritis.

Potential Chemopreventive Role of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Head and Neck Cancer: Insights from a Nested Case-Control Analysis of a National Health Screening Cohort

Background/Objectives: This study investigated the potential chemopreventive role of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use in relation to the occurrence of head and neck cancer (HNC) within a national cohort amid concerns of PPI overprescription. Methods: From a cohort of 1,137,861 individuals and 219,673,817 medical claim records collected between 2005 and 2019, 1677 HNC patients were identified and matched 1:4 with 6708 controls after adjusting for covariates. Odds ratios (ORs) for PPI use and its duration in relation to HNC and its subsites were estimated using propensity score overlap-weighted multivariable logistic regression. Additional subgroup analyses were performed based on age, sex, income level, and geographic region. Results: In the crude model, both current (OR 7.85 [95% CI 6.52-9.44]) and past PPI (OR 1.44 [95% CI 1.23-1.70]) use were associated with increased odds for HNC. However, after overlap weighting, this association reversed for both current (aOR 0.14 [95% CI 0.11-0.17]) and past PPI (aOR 0.69 [95% CI 0.60-0.79]). Subsite analysis showed reduced odds for hypopharyngeal (aOR 0.33, [95% CI 0.25-0.43]) and laryngeal cancer (aOR 0.19 [95% CI 0.16-0.22]) in current PPI users and similar results for past users. Conclusions: This study suggests a potential chemopreventive effect of PPIs, particularly in hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancers. Additional studies are required to investigate the mechanisms underlying the association of the development of HNC with PPI use.

Current and Future Perspectives on the Management of Helicobacter pylori: A Narrative Review

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a pathogen, has decreased globally in the last decade. To date, the management of H. pylori has focused on a reactive approach, whereby those diagnosed are treated with antimicrobials and acid suppression in combination. This review article provides an overview of the shift in the management of H. pylori from a reactive approach towards a proactive 'screen and treat' approach; the article reflects the current pharmacological landscape for H. pylori treatment by exploring similarities such as the first-line prescription of quadruple therapy in most countries and provides a summary table of the best practice guidance from Europe, Asia, and North America. It explores significant ongoing challenges in management, such as rising antimicrobial resistance rates, and explores a potential 'work smart' approach to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. We explore the role of registry databases in providing data on treatment efficacy and safety and how they can support a strategic approach to H. pylori treatment. We question if such a database's availability, update, and regular audit should serve as a key quality indicator in a population screening programme. Despite a call for vaccination against H. pylori and decades of research, not many have made it to a phase-three clinical trial. We explore the challenges that have complicated the development of such a vaccine, such as the genetic diversity of H. pylori, immunotolerance, and limitations of mouse models in research; we reflect on how these challenges are contributing to a low likelihood of having a vaccine in the short-medium term. Lastly, it explores the heterogeneity in research on probiotics and their role as an adjunct in the management of H. pylori.

10-Day versus 14-day bismuth quadruple therapy for first-line eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection: a randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial

Background

Bismuth quadruple therapy is currently consensus recommendation for first-line Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) treatment; however, the optimal duration is unknown. We compared the efficacy of 10-day bismuth quadruple therapy with that of 14-day bismuth quadruple therapy for first-line eradication.

Methods

For our multicentre, parallel randomised, open-label, and non-inferiority study, we recruited H. pylori treatment-naïve patients from one medical centre and one teaching hospital in Taiwan. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 10-day (PBMT-10) or 14-day (PBMT-14) bismuth quadruple therapy. The primary outcome was the eradication rate as determined by intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses. The eradication rates between the two groups were compared using a one-sided α value of 0.025 and a non-inferiority margin of 7%. The secondary outcomes were the rate of adverse effects. The trial is registered with ClincialTrials.gov (NCT04527055).

Findings

From August 3, 2020 to April 28, 2023, 313 H. pylori treatment-naïve patients (PBMT-10 = 157; PBMT-14 = 156) were enrolled. 35 patients were excluded from PP analyses. The eradication rates (95% CI) for PBMT-10 and PBMT-14 were respectively 92.4% (88.2%-96.5%) and 92.9% (88.9%-97.0%) by ITT analyses, and 97.9% (95.5%-100.0%) and 99.3% (97.8%-100.0%) by PP analyses. The eradication rates for PBMT-10 were non-inferior to those for PBMT-14 (absolute difference [lower boundary of the one-sided 97.5% CI] -0.6% [-6.7%], PNI = 0.020 in ITT analyses, -1.4% [-5.8%], PNI = 0.007 in PP analyses). The rates of overall adverse effects (54.1% versus 57.1%, P = 0.604) were similar between the two groups; nevertheless, the rates of dizziness (18.5% versus 34.0%, P = 0.003) and vomiting (4.5% versus 12.8%, P = 0.008) were lower in PBMT-10 than in PBMT-14.

Interpretation

The 10-day bismuth quadruple therapy was non-inferior to the 14-day therapy as a first-line treatment for eradicating H. pylori infection and had no different rates of overall adverse effects, but less serious adverse events in terms of dizziness and vomiting.

Funding

The National Science and Technology Council and Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan.