One week of treatment with esomeprazole-based triple therapy eradicates Helicobacter pylori and heals patients with duodenal ulcer disease.

BACKGROUND: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) monotherapy is commonly continued for 3 weeks after Helicobacter pylori eradication with PPI-based triple therapy regimens to ensure duodenal ulcer (DU) healing. This randomized, double-blind, multicentre study evaluated whether only 1 week of triple therapy with the new PPI esomeprazole was sufficient to ensure high rates of ulcer healing and H. pylori eradication.

METHODS: A total of 446 H. pylori-positive patients with active DU received twice daily treatment with esomeprazole 20 mg (n = 222) or omeprazole 20 mg (n = 224) in combination with amoxicillin 1 g and clarithromycin 500 mg for 1 week (EAC and OAC, respectively). Patients in the OAC group then received 3 weeks' monotherapy with omeprazole 20 mg once daily; those treated with EAC received placebo. Ulcer healing was assessed by endoscopy on completion of therapy and H. pylori status was assessed by (13)C-urea breath testing and histology 4-6 weeks later.

RESULTS: Ulcer healing rates (95% CI) for intention-to-treat and per-protocol populations were: EAC + placebo 91% (87-95%) and 94% (90-97%); OAC + omeprazole 92% (88-95%) and 96% (92-98%). Corresponding H. pylori eradication rates were: EAC + placebo 86% (81-90%) and 89% (84-93%); OAC + omeprazole 88% (83-92%) and 90% (85-93%). Both eradication regimens were well tolerated, and patient compliance was high.

CONCLUSIONS: A 1-week regimen of esomeprazole-based triple therapy is sufficient for DU healing and H. pylori eradication in patients with DU disease.