The Efficacy of Sequential Therapy as Second Line Therapy for Refractory Helicobacter Pylori Infection - A Pilot Study

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Helicobacter pylori infection has been shown to be associated with the development of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer diseases. Eradication of H. pylori infection could reduce the occurence or recurrence of these diseases. However, it was estimated that 15-20% of patients would fail from first line standard eradication therapy and need second line rescue therapy. About 15-30% of patient would fail from second line therapy and need to be rescued with third line therapy. The commonly used salvage regimens include: Bismuth based quadruple therapy (combined with ranitidine or proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) plus two antibiotics) Levofloxacin or moxifloxacin or rifabutin based triple therapy. However, Bismuth is not available in many countries and the administration method is complex. Its usage is limited by the high pill number and low compliance rate. In recent years, the concept of sequential therapy has been advocated in the treatment of H. pylori infection. The regimen includes a PPI plus amoxicillin for five days, followed by a PPI plus clarithromycin and metronidazole for another five days. The eradication rate in the first line treatment of sequential therapy had been reported to be as high as 90%. More importantly, it has been demonstrated that the eradication rate among patients with clarithromycin-resistant strains could be as high as 89%. Aims: Therefore, the investigators aim to assess the efficacy of levofloxacin-based sequential therapy as second line therapy for those who fail from one standard eradication therapy.

Official Title
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The Efficacy of Sequential Therapy as Second Line Therapy for Refractory Helicobacter Pylori Infection - A Pilot Study

Conditions
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H. Pylori Infection

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Cravit-based sequential therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients are aged greater than 20 years who have persistent H. pylori infection after one treatment and are willing to receive second line rescue regimens, respectively, are considered eligible for enrollment. Exclusion Criteria: Children and teenagers aged less than 20 years, History of gastrectomy, Gastric malignancy, including adenocarcinoma and lymphoma, Previous allergic reaction to antibiotics (amoxicillin, clarithromycin, levofloxacin) and prompt pump inhibitors (esomeprazole), Contraindication to treatment drugs, Pregnant or lactating women, OR Severe concurrent disease.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Cravit-based sequential therapy<br>Cravit-based sequential therapy Eligible patients will be treated with (esomeprazole 40mg bid +amoxicillin 1gm bid) for 5 days, followed by (esomeprazole 40mg bid + levofloxacin 250mg bid + metronidazole 500mg bid ) for another 5 days | Drug: Cravit-based sequential therapy<br>* Eligible patients will be treated with (esomeprazole 40mg bid +amoxicillin 1gm bid) for 5 days, followed by (esomeprazole 40mg bid + levofloxacin 250mg bid + metronidazole 500mg bid ) for another 5 days<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Eradication rate will be evaluated according to Intent-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses |  | 2009/4/20 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Helicobacter pylori, sequential therapy, levofloxacin, clarithromycin, rescue, salvage, treatment failure, For those who fail from one standard eradication therapy for H. pylori infection