Treating Helicobacter pylori infection in primary care patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia: the Canadian adult dyspepsia empiric treatment-Helicobacter pylori positive (CADET-Hp) randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether a "test for Helicobacter pylori and treat" strategy improves symptoms in patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia in primary care.

DESIGN

Randomised placebo controlled trial.

SETTING

36 family practices in Canada.

PARTICIPANTS

294 patients positive for H pylori ((13)C- urea breath test) with symptoms of dyspepsia of at least moderate severity in the preceding month.

INTERVENTION

PARTICIPANTS were randomised to twice daily treatment for 7 days with omeprazole 20 mg, metronidazole 500 mg, and clarithromycin 250 mg or omeprazole 20 mg, placebo metronidazole, and placebo clarithromycin. Patients were then managed by their family physicians according to their usual care.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Treatment success defined as no symptoms or minimal symptoms of dyspepsia at the end of one year. Societal healthcare costs collected prospectively for a secondary evaluation of actual mean costs.

RESULTS

In the intention to treat population (n=294), eradication treatment was significantly more effective than placebo in achieving treatment success (50% v 36%; P=0.02; absolute risk reduction=14%; number needed to treat=7, 95% confidence interval 4 to 63). Eradication treatment cured H pylori infection in 80% of evaluable patients. Treatment success at one year was greater in patients negative for H pylori than in those positive for H pylori (54% v 39%; P=0.02). Eradication treatment reduced mean annual cost by $C53 (-86 to 180) per patient.

CONCLUSIONS

A "test for H pylori with (13)C-urea breath test and eradicate" strategy shows significant symptomatic benefit at 12 months in the management of primary care patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia.