RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Rabeprazole in combination with amoxicillin and metronidazole (RAM) has been shown to be an effective second-line treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection. The effects were compared of 7-day low-dose and high dose rabeprazole in RAM for the primary treatment of H. pylori infection in Chinese patients. METHODS: Helicobacter pylori-positive dyspeptic patients were randomized to receive either (i) rabeprazole 10 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg and metronidazole 400 mg (RAM-10) or (ii) high-dose rabeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg and metronidazole 400 mg (RAM-20), each given twice daily for 7 days. Helicobacter pylori eradication was confirmed by (13)c-urea breath test 5 weeks after stopping medications. side-effects of treatments were documented. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients were eligible for analysis. By intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis, the eradication rates were 83% and 86% in the RAM-10 group and 75% and 76% in the RAM-20 group, respectively (P = 0.26 and P = 0.17). Both regimens were well-tolerated and compliance was >98% in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose rabeprazole in combination with amoxicillin and metronidazole is an effective, economical and well-tolerated therapy for the treatment of H. pylori infection in Chinese population.