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Observational Study
. 2023;41(3):377-386.
doi: 10.1159/000528389. Epub 2022 Dec 20.

Current Trends in the Management of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Serbia: Preliminary Results from the European Registry on H. pylori Management

Vladimir Milivojevic  1   2 , Ivana Babic  3 , Dusan Kekic  2   4 , Ivan Rankovic  1   2 , Sabir Sagdati  5 , Nikola Panic  2   6 , Izabela Sekulic Spasic  7 , Miodrag Krstic  1   2 , Tomica Milosavljevic  7 , Leticia Moreira  8 , Olga Perez Nyssen  9 , Francis Mégraud  10 , Colm O' Morain  11 , Javier Gisbert  9
Affiliations
Observational Study

Current Trends in the Management of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Serbia: Preliminary Results from the European Registry on H. pylori Management

Vladimir Milivojevic et al. Dig Dis. 2023.

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most common chronic bacterial infection. Treatment effectiveness remains a subject of debate considering bacterial antimicrobial resistance. Our aim was to analyze the diagnostic methods and eradication treatments for H. pylori infection in Serbia.

Methods: An observational multicenter prospective study was conducted in Serbia, as part of the European Registry on H. pylori Management (Hp-EuReg). Demographics, treatment indication, diagnostic methods, previous eradication attempts, and treatment were collected at AEG-REDCap e-CRF. Modified intention-to-treat (mITT) and per-protocol (PP) effectiveness analyses were performed. Safety, compliance, and bacterial antimicrobial resistance rates were reported. Data were quality checked.

Results: Overall, 283 patients were included, with a mean age of 55 ± 15 years. Dyspepsia (n = 214, 77%) was the most frequent treatment indication, and histology (n = 144, 51%) was the most used diagnostic method. Overall eradication rate was 95% (PP) and 94% (mITT). Most prevalent first-line therapy was quadruple PPI + clarithromycin + amoxicillin + metronidazole, with a 96% effectiveness (p < 0.001). Second-line main treatment choice was triple amoxicillin + levofloxacin, with a 95% effectiveness (p < 0.05). Single-capsule Pylera® was the most prescribed third-line therapy, with 100% effectiveness (p < 0.05). Longer treatment duration was associated with a higher eradication rate in first-line therapy (p < 0.05). Clarithromycin and quinolone resistance rates in first-line were 24% and 8.3%, respectively. The overall adverse events' incidence rate was 13.4%, and therapy compliance was 97%.

Conclusions: Considering the high eradication rate, 14-day non-bismuth quadruple concomitant therapy is a reasonable first-line choice, while quinolone-based therapy and single-capsule Pylera® should be considered as rescue therapy options.

Keywords: Eradication rate; First-line treatment; Helicobacter pylori; Safety; Serbia.

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