Outcome of 14-Day Sequential and Levofloxacin-Based Triple Regimen as the First-Line Therapy in Patients with Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Prospective Comparative Study from Southern Central Nepal

Abstract

Background Helicobacter pylori eradication rates of the commonly used regimens vary among countries and even among different regions of the same country. We aimed to compare the eradication rate and safety of sequential therapy with levofloxacin-based triple therapy. Methods A comparative single-center study was conducted between October 2022 and November 2023 after obtaining ethical approval. Patients in group A received 14 days of levofloxacin-based triple therapy and those in group B received 14 days of sequential therapy. The eradication of H. pylori was assessed 4 weeks after the completion of the assigned regimens. The data regarding adverse events were also recorded. Results Among 150 patients (group A: 70, group B: 80) with mean age of 41.7 ± 15.0 years, 67 (44.6%) were male. The eradication was achieved in 65 (92.9%) in group A and 63 (78.8%) in group B, respectively (p = 0.01). All the patients in group A and 76 (95%) patients in group B had good compliance with medication. Adverse events were noticed in 7 (10%) in group A compared to 31 (38.7%) in group B (p < 0.001). The most common adverse events in group A and group B were drug-related diarrhea (3 [4.3%] vs. 11 [13.7%]), gastrointestinal intolerance (2 [2.8%] vs. 6 [7.5%]), and bad/metallic taste (1 [1.4%] vs. 22 [27.5%]). No serious adverse events were noted in both groups. Conclusion Sequential therapy is significantly less effective and has more nonserious adverse events compared to levofloxacin-based triple therapy in eradication of H. pylori.