Introduction

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most widespread infection globally and the main cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer. Its eradication is primarily managed in primary care. Assessing real-world clinical management practices of H. pylori infection and their adherence to clinical guidelines is essential to inform and optimize treatment strategies.

Aims & Methods

To assess the current H. pylori management strategies followed in Primary Care, we conducted an epidemiological cohort study using data from BIFAP, a Spanish healthcare database containing real-world data on the clinical practice of Primary Care physicians.
Patients aged ≥18 years with a recorded H. pylori infection between January 1, 2003, and June 30, 2023, and a prescription for infection treatment were selected. Two algorithms were developed: one to identify potential cases of H. pylori infection, based on ICD-9/10, and SNOMED CT codes, supplemented by clue words; and another to detect prescribed treatment patterns, constructed from guideline-based recommendations compiled from Spanish and European Consensus Conferences between 1997 and 2022, encompassing 19 possible combinations. A validation process was conducted to confirm the accuracy of infection records through manual review of a random sample of electronic health records. Treatment prescriptions were validated based on active ingredients recorded. We analysed the treatment prevalence stratified by clinical and demographic factors. Continuous and categorical variables were summarized using medians and proportions, respectively. First-line treatments were compared with those of the European Registry on H. pylori Management (Hp-EuReg) to contrast Primary and Specialised (that is, gastroenterologists) Care, respectively.

Results

A total of 211,972 subjects were identified with a H. pylori infection record and, at least, one of the possible treatment patterns. The median age at infection diagnosis was 55 years (IQR, 44-66), with women representing 65%. The most frequent first-line treatments included: proton pump inhibitor (PPI) plus a single-capsule containing bismuth, tetracycline and metronidazole (Pylera®) (PPI+ScBQT) with 36% of cases; PPI, clarithromycin, amoxicillin (PPI+C+A) with 30%; and the combination PPI, clarithromycin, amoxicillin, metronidazole (PPI+C+A+M), with 26%. The most commonly used first-line combination among individuals aged 18-64 years was PPI+ScBQT, as well as in those with a recorded diagnosis of obesity, chronic kidney disease, and in current smokers. However, among individuals aged ≥65 years, as well as in those with a recorded diagnosis of peptic ulcer, the most frequent first-line treatment was PPI+C+A. Comparison between Specialised and Primary Care showed that, since 2013, the use of PPI+C+A by Gastroenterologists has decreased from 40% to less than 1% by 2023, with a similar trend observed in Primary Care, although it remains prescribed in over 10% of cases in 2023. The use of non-bismuth quadruple therapy (PPI+C+A+M) significantly increased since 2015, with a higher proportion in Specialised (40%) compared to Primary Care (30%). ScBQT is currently the most widely prescribed regimen, accounting for approximately 60% of prescriptions in both settings.

Conclusion

H. pylori eradication treatments in Primary Care are heterogeneous, with single-capsule bismuth quadruple therapy being the most prescribed. The use of first-line treatment guidelines has generally aligned with Spanish and European recommendations, although their adoption in Primary Care has been slower than in Specialised Care.

Disclosure

Javier P. Gisbert has served as speaker, consultant, and advisory member for or has received research funding from: Mayoly, Allergan/Abbvie, Diasorin, Richen, Juvisé and Biocodex.
Olga P. Nyssen received research funding from: Mayoly, Allergan/Abbvie, Richen, Juvisé and Biocodex.

Introduction

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection remains a major public health problem. Given the high resistance to antibiotics, different treatment strategies must be validated in each specific country. The recurrence rates of H. pylori infection and its predictors remain unclear.

Aims & Methods

To determine the independent factors predicting recurrence after successful eradication with a first-line treatment for H. pylori infection.
All patients were submitted to eradication treatment with five quadruple therapies (A-Concomitant with metronidazole 500mg tid, 14 days; B-Concomitant with metronidazole 500mg bid, 14 days; C-Quadruple with bismuth, 10 days; D-Sequential, 14 days; E-Hybrid, 14 days)) in a blind, randomized trial. Esomeprazole was the proton-pump inhibitor of choice. Efficacy rate at 1-2 months and recurrence rate at 12 months using ¹³C-urea breath test were evaluated. Sociodemographic data, personal/family history, health status and biochemical parameters were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

A total of 126 patients (42.9% males; mean age: 57.4±16.7 years) concluded the treatment protocol (A-25; B-21; C-27; D-24; E-29). Overall efficacy rate of quadruple therapy regimens was 98.4%(n=124): Group A-100%; Group B-100.0%; Group C-100.0%; Group D-100.0%; Group E-93.1% (p=0.147). Overall recurrence rate of quadruple therapy regimens was 4.1%(n=5/123): Group A-12.0%; Group B-9.5%; Group C-0.0%; Group D-0.0%; Group E-0.0% (p=0.009). After univariate/multivariate analysis, high LDL-cholesterol level (OR 1.032, p=0.042), non-bismuth concomitant H. pylori eradication regimen (OR 8.904, p=0.064) and alcoholism (OR 8.333, p=0.035) were independent risk factors for H. pylori reinfection.

Conclusion

In this South-European country, all quadruple therapy regimens with or without bismuth are very effective for H. pylori eradication. The 12-months recurrence rate of H. pylori infection after successful eradication is <5%. High LDL-cholesterol, non-bismuth concomitant H. pylori eradication regimen and alcoholism are independent predictors for H. pylori reinfection. A close surveillance on infectious state in high-risk patients is crucial to prevent long-term H. pylori-associated complications.

References

1. Zamani, M., Ebrahimtabar, F., Zamani, V., et al. (2018) Systematic review with meta-analysis: the worldwide prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 47(7), 868-876.
2. Malfertheiner, P., Megraud, F., O’Morain, C.A., et al. (2017) Management of Helicobacter pylori infection – the Maastricht V/Florence Consensus Report. Gut 66(1), 6-30.
3. Savoldi, A., Carrara, E., Graham, D.Y., et al. (2018) Prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori: a systematic review and meta-analysis in World Health Organization Regions. Gastroenterology 155(5), 1372-1382.
4. Lopo, I., Libânio, D., Pita, I., et al. (2018) Helicobacter pylori antibiotic resistance in Portugal: Systematic review and metaanalysis. Helicobacter 23(4), e12493.
5. Hu, Y., Wan, J.H., Li, X.Y., et al. Systematic review with meta-analysis: the global recurrence rate of Helicobacter pylori. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2017;46(9):773-779.
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Disclosure

None of the authors have anything to declare with regard to personal or financial interests in carrying out this work.

Introduction

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a well-recognized gastric carcinogen. However, whether this infection is related to colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer remains debatable. Data from some recent studies have indicated a significant association between H. pylori infection and the development of colorectal polyps or cancer. Potential effects of H. pylori on the colorectal mucosa include the induction of inflammatory responses, alteration of gut flora, and the release of toxins.
The aim was to investigate the association between H.pylori infection and colorectal polyps.

Aims & Methods

We retrospectively included patients diagnosed with colorectal polyps who underwent H. pylori testing between September 2024 and March 2025. Patients with incomplete colonoscopies were excluded. Demographic, clinical, and endoscopic data were subsequently collected. Polyp subtypes and dysplasia grades were extracted from histopathology reports. Screening for H. pylori infection was performed on gastric biopsies. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (H. pylori-negative) and Group 2 (H. pylori-positive). The number, size, location, and pathological type of colorectal polyps were compared between the two groups.

Results

One hundred thirty patients were included, with a male-to-female sex ratio of 3.2. The mean age was 56.3 ± 11.23 years. The main comorbidities were diabetes (33.1%), dyslipidemia (26.9%), and hypertension (25.4%). The locations of colorectal polyps varied: 18.5% in the rectum, 17.7% in the sigmoid colon, 8.5% in the left colon, 7.7% in the transverse colon, 16.9% in the right colon, and 30.8% of patients had polyps in multiple locations. A total of 219 polyps were identified, with a mean of 2.16 polyps per patient and a mean size of 5.9 mm (range: 2–30 mm).
Histopathological examination revealed predominantly hyperplastic polyps (36.9%), low-grade dysplastic adenomas (48.5%), high-grade dysplastic adenomas (7.7%), and adenocarcinomas (6.9%). The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 31.5%.
Statistical analyses showed that the H. pylori-positive group had a significantly higher proportion of colorectal polyps with sizes ≥10 mm (55.6% vs. 44.4%, p = 0.027) and multiple polyps (≥5) (56.3% vs. 43.8%, p = 0.04) compared to the H. pylori-negative group. However, neither dysplasia grading nor polyp localization was significantly associated with H. pylori infection.

Conclusion

In our study, H. pylori infection was associated with an increased risk of large and multiple colorectal polyps. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to better understand the impact of H. pylori eradication on the occurrence of colorectal polyps, as well as its tumorigenic effects on the colorectal mucosa.

Clinical Case Summary

Materials and methods: 24-year-old man with an episode of nausea, anorexia and loss of 4-5 kg in a week, which resolved spontaneously without drugs. During the episode had hyperchromic urine, yellowing of skin and eyes.After 1 month small increase of serum transaminases x 1.5. Regular bowel function. No clinical signs. US regular. Anti-HbsAg and HCV-Ab negative. After another month he had highly increase of serum transaminases with AST x 27 and ALT x50 GGT x3, Total bilirubin 2.85. Negative ANA, AMA, LKM, IgA anti TTG, anti EBV, anti CMV, alpha1 anti trypsian slight increase. He performed a new serum analysis with increase of anti-TTG IgA. He subsequently performed genetics for celiac disease and confirmed homozygous DQ2.Performs EGDS for suspected celiac disease which documents nodularity in bulb and DII scalloping. Histological examination shows Marsh 3B.After 150 g gluten daily intake had IgA anti TTG x 4. A diagnosis of celiac disease is made and he started GFD with serum transaminases x 2After 2 months with good adherence to GFD has AST x20 and ALT x 50. He denies alcohol abuse.Negative hemochromatosis mutations. Stable weight, Regular bowel function. We perform liver biopsy. The histological examination documents Histological Activity index acc. Knodell modified by Ishak: 7 Grading.
Results: Diagnosis is moderately active chronic autoimmune hepatitis.Therapy is started with prednisone 40 mg daily. With AST x10 and ALT x 20After 15 days of therapy AST x 5 and ALT x9, therefore values halving and normal bilirubin. Currently under follow-up in our Hospital
Conclusions: Although the history is still unknown and the histological exam is compatible but not certain, the good response to steroid therapy is a positive factor that proves the correctness of the diagnosis. This diagnostic difficulty leads us to always evaluate the autoimmune cause in a young patient without risk factors with a small increase in transaminases.

References

University of Salerno