[Early results of treating Helicobacter pylori infections in patients with gastric ulcer and gastritis].

In the present study, the effectiveness of a triple therapy for eradication of Helicobacter pylori was evaluated. Therapy consisted of 120 mg tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate q.d.s. for four weeks, 500 mg amoxycillin q.d.s. and 500 mg metronidazole t.d.s. for two weeks. In 77 Helicobacter pylori-positive patients with duodenal ulcers (n = 32), gastritis (n = 18) and after gastric resection (n = 7), rapid urease-based test, culture, histology and serology were used to confirm the eradication, or relapse. The overall eradication rate was 75.3%, ulcers were healed in 82.1% and an improvement of the endoscopic gastritis was observed in 75.3% of the patients. The eradication rates were not statistically different among the subgroups. 1-3 months after the treatment IgG titres had fallen by 25% and over in 67.5% of the patients irrespective of the success of bacterial eradication. Side effects, particularly diarrhoea and nausea, were common (53.2%) but mild. Only 6.5% of the patients' had to discontinue the treatment because side effects became intolerable.