Comparison Between Sequential Therapy and Modified Bismuth-Included Quadruple Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Chinese Patients

To compare the efficacy and safety of sequential therapy and modified bismuth-included quadruple therapy as a first-line Helicobacter pylori eradication in China. The patients were randomized to receive sequential therapy [n = 90; rabeprazole (20 mg twice daily) and amoxicillin (1 g twice daily) for 5 days, followed by rabeprazole (20 mg twice daily), tinidazole (500 mg twice daily) plus clarithromycin (500 mg twice daily) for another 5 days] or modified bismuth-included quadruple therapy [n = 109; rabeprazole (20 mg twice daily), levofloxacin hydrochloride (400 mg twice daily), clarithromycin (500 mg twice daily), and colloidal bismuth pectin (200 mg 3 times a day) for 7 days]. A follow-up urea breath test was applied 4 weeks later. A total of 199 patients were diagnosed with H. pylori infection. The intention-to-treat and per-protocol (PP) eradication rates were 91.7% and 92.6%, respectively, in the modified bismuth-included quadruple therapy group, and 74.4% and 76.1%, respectively, in the sequential therapy group. The eradication rates were significantly higher in the modified bismuth-included quadruple therapy group, compared with the sequential therapy group (P = 0.001 for intention to treat and P = 0.001 for PP). Adverse effects were reported by patients from both groups, but the difference did not reach significant level (P = 0.280). The modified bismuth-included quadruple therapy seemed to be superior to the sequential therapy as the first-line regimen for H. pylori eradication in Chinese patients.