Letters To The Editor
Copyright ©2012 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. Dec 6, 2012; 3(6): 103-104
Published online Dec 6, 2012. doi: 10.4292/wjgpt.v3.i6.103
Is concomitant quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication really needed for Japanese patients?
Vincenzo De Francesco, Angelo Zullo, Cesare Hassan
Vincenzo De Francesco, Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Foggia, Ospedali Riuniti, 71100 Foggia, Italy
Angelo Zullo, Cesare Hassan, Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, “Nuovo Regina Margherita” Hospital, 00183 Rome, Italy
Author contributions: All three authors contributed to this paper equally.
Correspondence to: Dr. Vincenzo De Francesco, Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Foggia, Ospedali Riuniti, Viale L. Pinto, 71100 Foggia, Italy. vdefrancesco@ospedaliriunitifoggia.it
Telephone: +39-881-733690 Fax: +39-881-733692
Received: June 8, 2012
Revised: September 20, 2012
Accepted: November 20, 2012
Published online: December 6, 2012
Abstract

The study found that the 7 d of concomitant therapy (lansoprazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin and metronidazole) achieved significantly higher eradication rates compared to 7 d of triple therapy (lansoprazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin), the intention to treat (ITT) cure rates being 94.9% and 68.3%, respectively. According to our opinion, this study is clinically relevant for Japanese physicians for at least 2 reasons: (1) the standard triple therapy (clarithromycin plus amoxicillin) achieved disappointing cure rates in Japan - in agreement with what was observed in several countries; and (2) the concomitant quadruple therapy is an effective therapeutic alternative.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori; Triple therapy; Japanese patients