Eradication Treatment of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> Infection: Evaluation of Therapeutic Strategies in N’Djamena

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is the most widespread bacterial infection in the world. The infection is generally acquired in childhood, but can persist into adulthood. Eradication therapy has undergone several modifications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the different therapeutic strategies used in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire La Reference Nationale of N’Djaména. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive analytical study spread over one year, from September 2021 to September 2022. Patients at least 15 years of age presenting with dyspeptic symptoms, seen consecutively in a hepato-gastroenterology consultation and with a positive stool test for H. pylori infection, were included in the study. Equally, 1/3 of patients were treated with dual or triple therapy. The remaining third received quadritherapy. Results: A total of 268 patients were included in the study (mean age 38.40 ± 14.66 with extremes of 16 and 80 years). Males predominated in 58% of cases. Overall therapeutic efficacy was 88.9%. According to different therapeutic strategies, efficacy was 90.75% for dual therapy with PPI (Rabeprazole) and Amoxicillin. On the other hand, efficacy was 87% and 88.88% for PPI-based triple therapy and dual antibiotic therapy, and for PPI-based quadruple therapy and triple antibiotic therapy. Conclusion: H. pylori infection is a common disease in Chad. Dual therapy with rabeprazole combined with a high dose of amoxicillin over a period of at least two weeks showed similar if not better efficacy than triple or quadruple therapy.