Adding Bismuth to Rabeprazole-based First-line Triple Therapy Does Not Improve the Eradication of Helicobacter Pylori

Once confirmed with H. pylori infection and having signed the informed consent, participants were randomly assigned to either the standard triple-therapy group (RAK: rabeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1 g and clarithromycin 500 mg, all twice daily for 7 days) or the bismuth plus standard triple-therapy group (RBAK: rabeprazole 20 mg, bismuth subcitrate 360 mg, amoxicillin 1 g and clarithromycin 500 mg, all twice daily for 7 days). A computer-generated random number was chosen for randomization. The patients and physicians were not blinded to the therapy assigned.

After completion of H. pylori eradication therapy, participants were asked to come back for collection of the information on any adverse event of drug compliance. In order to avoid false negative results, they were also asked to have a 4-week proton pump inhibitor, antibiotic and bismuth washout period before further examination of H. pylori status. The second endoscopy with rapid urea test, histology and culture or 13 C-urea breath test (UBT) for those who refused endoscopic exams was carried out at the end of the washout period. Those who did not return to confirm their H. pylori status were deemed as treatment failure in intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis.