Abstract
Background Helicobacter pylori eradication rates of the commonly used regimens vary among countries and even among
different regions of the same country. We aimed to compare the eradication rate and
safety of sequential therapy with levofloxacin-based triple therapy.
Methods A comparative single-center study was conducted between October 2022 and November
2023 after obtaining ethical approval. Patients in group A received 14 days of levofloxacin-based
triple therapy and those in group B received 14 days of sequential therapy. The eradication
of H. pylori was assessed 4 weeks after the completion of the assigned regimens. The data regarding
adverse events were also recorded.
Results Among 150 patients (group A: 70, group B: 80) with mean age of 41.7 ± 15.0 years,
67 (44.6%) were male. The eradication was achieved in 65 (92.9%) in group A and 63
(78.8%) in group B, respectively (p = 0.01). All the patients in group A and 76 (95%) patients in group B had good compliance
with medication. Adverse events were noticed in 7 (10%) in group A compared to 31
(38.7%) in group B (p < 0.001). The most common adverse events in group A and group B were drug-related
diarrhea (3 [4.3%] vs. 11 [13.7%]), gastrointestinal intolerance (2 [2.8%] vs. 6 [7.5%]),
and bad/metallic taste (1 [1.4%] vs. 22 [27.5%]). No serious adverse events were noted
in both groups.
Conclusion Sequential therapy is significantly less effective and has more nonserious adverse
events compared to levofloxacin-based triple therapy in eradication of H. pylori .
Keywords
Helicobacter pylori
- sequential therapy - levofloxacin-based triple therapy - eradication - adverse events
- first line therapy
