[14C-urea breath test in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach].

We developed a modified 14C-urea breath test (14C-UBT) to diagnose Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in 70 patients in which subjects were given 92.5 kBq (2.5 microCi) 14C-urea with 25 mg nonradioactive urea, without nutrient-dense meal. Using the mean value +3s as a cutoff value, the 20 min sample gave a sensitivity of 97.36%, a specificity of 90.00%, a positive predictive value of 97.36%, and a negative predictive value of 90.0%. Our data showed: (1) A satisfying accuracy of the modified 14C-UBT for the detection of Hp infection was obtained. (2) Taking 92.5 kBq (2.5 microCi) 14C-urea and 20 min collected sample may be of great use and to replace the previous big dose and long time methods. (3) This test may be applied routinely as a noninvasive, accurate, low cost, safe and rapid method. (4) It played an important role in reflecting the susceptibility of Hp to various drugs in vivo and monitoring the recurence of Hp.