SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Helicobacter Pylori Eradication and Follow-Up: A Challenge in Everyday Practice

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This single-center retrospective study examined adult patients tested for <em>Helicobacter pylori</em> (H. pylori) at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, comparing Jan–June 2023 with Jan–Dec 2021. The authors reviewed electronic medical records to assess patient demographics, reasons for testing, medication use before testing, diagnostic and confirmatory testing, eradication regimens, and follow-up after treatment.

H. pylori is highly prevalent worldwide, and accurate testing is important because recent antibiotic or antisecretory medication use can reduce test sensitivity. The study also highlights concern about rising macrolide resistance, which affects treatment choice and eradication success.

Among 362 patients tested, the mean age was 51 years; 64% were female and 36% male. Common indications for testing included GERD, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, nausea, anemia, vomiting, and other symptoms. Clarithromycin-based triple therapy remained the most commonly used eradication regimen in both years (76% in 2021 and 75% in 2023), although use of bismuth-based quadruple therapy increased from 3% to 17%.

Outcome measures improved over time. Post-eradication testing increased from 28% in 2021 to 43% in 2023. Follow-up rates also rose slightly, from 55% to 57%, and the average time to follow-up decreased from 17 weeks to 14 weeks. However, confirmatory testing remained suboptimal. Treatment failure was more common with triple therapy, with 23.4% remaining positive, compared with 6% in the quadruple therapy group.

Overall, the study found modest improvements in follow-up and eradication testing, but persistently low rates of confirmatory testing remain a challenge. The authors emphasize the need to better schedule and complete post-treatment testing, which may improve long-term outcomes and potentially reduce gastric cancer risk and healthcare costs.

Asset Subtitle

Betina Sinanova

Meta Tag

Author List Betina Sinanova, Eunhee Choi, Fazeel Javid, Lavina Khemani, Luis Hermosillo Gallardo, Pamela Henriquez, Priscila Castro, Vidya Menon, Vince Martinez, Yassine Kilani

Category Research

Concept Eradication therapy

Concept Helicobacter pylori Testing

Concept Gastrointestinal Malignancy

Concept Eradication Regimen

Concept Confirmatory Testing

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Lincoln Medical Center

Presenting Author Betina Sinanova

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

Helicobacter pylori

retrospective study

eradication therapy

clarithromycin triple therapy

bismuth quadruple therapy

confirmatory testing

post-eradication testing

macrolide resistance

gastroenterology

follow-up rates

Eradication therapy

Helicobacter pylori Testing

Gastrointestinal Malignancy

Eradication Regimen

Confirmatory Testing