Does the urea breath test predict eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection ?

Background/Aim: Helicobacter pylori infection is common worldwide and has been linked to development of gastric and duo- denal ulcers, gastric adenocarcinoma, and gastric lymphoma. However, antimicrobial resistance has decreased H. pylori eradica- tion rates worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of bacterial load on eradication rate. Method : This prospective study included 237 consecutive pa- tients who presented to our institution with dyspeptic symptoms and underwent both upper endoscopy and urea breath tests (UBT). The patients were divided into three equal sized groups according to their UBT values. All subjects received a standard triple eradica- tion regimen, followed by a bismuth- based quadruple eradication regimen if triple eradication was not successful. The three groups were compared with respect to age, endoscopic findings, sex, and eradication rates.