BACKGROUND:Bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT) is a recommended first-line regimen for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication., but its use is limited by side effects and restricted bismuth availability. Probiotic represents an investigational alternative strategy. This study compared the efficacy and safety of triple therapy plus probiotics (TTP)with BQT.
METHODS:Patients with H. pylori infection were randomised to receive either TTP (probiotics, amoxicillin, clarithromycin and esomeprazole) or BQT (bismuth potassium citrate, amoxicillin, clarithromycin and esomeprazole) for 14 d. The primary endpoint was the eradication rate by 13C-urea breath test ≥28 d after treatment completion. Secondary endpoints included adverse events and adherence.
RESULTS:The eradication rates for TTP vs. BQT were 76.4% (126/165) and 86.6% (142/164) in the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis (difference, -10.2%; 95% CI: -18.5% to -1.9%; P = 0.521) and 84.0% (126/150) and 94.7% (142/150) in the protocol (PP) analysis (difference, -10.7%; 95% CI: -17.5% to -3.8%, P = 0.576). Among patients aged ≥40 y, eradication rates were comparable between TTP and BQT in both the ITT and PP analysis (91.9% vs. 84.9% and 97.1% vs. 93.8%, P = 0.015 and P = 0.019 for noninferiority, respectively). The incidence of adverse event was lower in the TTP group (17.8% vs. 28.7%; P = 0.029). Furthermore, TTP preserved gut microbiota stability, whereas BQT induced dysbiosis.
CONCLUSION:While TTP was inferior to BQT in eradication efficacy, it demonstrated better tolerability and protective effects against gut microbiota dysbiosis. In patients aged ≥40 y, TTP achieved non-inferior eradication rates, suggesting this subgroup may warrant further investigation.