A Case of Epiploic Appendagitis after COVID-19 / 대한소화기학회지

Acute epiploic appendagitis is an uncommon cause of abdominal pain resulting from appendageal ischemia caused by torsion or thrombosis of the draining vein. It is frequently misdiagnosed as acute appendicitis or diverticulitis. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed how this rare disease is diagnosed. There was a report of a young men diagnosed with COVID-19 and epiploic appendagitis as a rare cause of abdominal pain. In addition, a 50-year-old men was diagnosed with epiploic appendagitis during the treatment of COVID-19. This paper reports the case of a 53-year-old men who presented with right lower quadrant abdominal pain after COVID-19 and was diagnosed with acute epiploic appendagitis by computed tomography image findings. The thrombotic condition of COVID-19 may contribute to acute appendagitis, but more studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Changes in the Long-term Prognosis of Crohn’s Disease between 1986 and 2015: The Population-Based Songpa-Kangdong Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cohort Study

Background/Aims@#The long-term course of Crohn’s disease (CD) has never been evaluated in non-Caucasian population-based cohorts. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the longterm prognosis of Korean CD patients in the well-defined population-based Songpa-Kangdong inflammatory bowel disease cohort. @*Methods@#Outcomes of disease and their predictors were evaluated for 418 patients diagnosed with CD between 1986 and 2015. @*Results@#During a median of 123 months, systemic corticosteroids, thiopurines, and anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents were administered to 58.6%, 81.3%, and 37.1% of patients, respectively. Over time, the cumulative probability of starting corticosteroids significantly decreased (p=0.001), whereas that of starting thiopurines and anti-TNFs significantly increased (both p<0.001). The cumulative probability of behavioral progression was 54.5% at 20 years, and it significantly decreased during the anti-TNF era. Intestinal resection was required for 113 patients (27.0%). The cumulative probabilities of intestinal resection at 1, 5, 10, 20, and 25 years after CD diagnosis were 12.7%, 16.5%, 23.8%, 45.1%, and 51.2%, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified stricturing behavior at diagnosis (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.55 to 4.71), penetrating behavior at diagnosis (aHR, 11.15; 95% CI, 6.91 to 17.97), and diagnosis of CD during the anti-TNF era (aHR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.76) as independently associated with intestinal resection. The standardized mortality ratio among CD patients was 1.36 (95% CI, 0.59 to 2.68). @*Conclusions@#The long-term prognosis of Korean patients with CD is at least as good as that of Western CD patients, as indicated by the low intestinal resection rate. Moreover, behavioral progression and intestinal resection rates have decreased over the past 3 decades.

Clinical Characteristics and Long-term Prognosis of Elderly-Onset Ulcerative Colitis in a Population-Based Cohort in the SongpaKangdong District of Seoul, Korea

Background/Aims@#We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis of elderly-onset ulcerative colitis (EOUC) in Korean patients over a 30-year period using a wellestablished population-based cohort in the Songpa-Kangdong district of Seoul, Korea. @*Methods@#Clinical characteristics and prognosis were compared between two groups: EOUC,defined as UC diagnosed in individuals aged ≥60 years and non-EOUC (N-EOUC), defined asUC diagnosed in individuals aged 18 to 59 years. @*Results@#We identified 99 patients with EOUC (10.3%) and 866 patients with N-EOUC (89.7%) between 1986 and 2015. During the median follow-up of 104.5 months, the overall exposure tomedications was comparable between patients with EOUC and N-EOUC (p=0.091 for corticosteroids, p=0.794 for thiopurines, and p=0.095 for anti-tumor necrosis factor agents). The cumula-tive risks of disease outcomes were also comparable between patients with EOUC and N-EOUC (22.4% vs 30.4% for proximal disease extension [p=0.351], 11.9% vs 18.1% for hospitalization [p=0.240], and 2.3% vs 1.8% for colectomy [p=0.977]) at 10 years after diagnosis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that corticosteroid use at diagnosis was an independent predic-tor of proximal disease extension (hazard ratio [HR], 6.216; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.314 to 28.826) and hospitalization (HR, 11.241; 95% CI, 3.027 to 41.742) in patients with EOUC. @*Conclusions@#In this population-based study from Korea, the pattern of medication use seemed comparable between the EOUC and N-EOUC groups. Moreover, patients with EOUC and those with N-EOUC have a similar disease course in terms of proximal disease extension, hospitaliza-tion, and colectomy.

Clinical Characteristics and Long-term Prognosis of Elderly-Onset Ulcerative Colitis in a Population-Based Cohort in the SongpaKangdong District of Seoul, Korea

Background/Aims@#We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis of elderly-onset ulcerative colitis (EOUC) in Korean patients over a 30-year period using a wellestablished population-based cohort in the Songpa-Kangdong district of Seoul, Korea. @*Methods@#Clinical characteristics and prognosis were compared between two groups: EOUC,defined as UC diagnosed in individuals aged ≥60 years and non-EOUC (N-EOUC), defined asUC diagnosed in individuals aged 18 to 59 years. @*Results@#We identified 99 patients with EOUC (10.3%) and 866 patients with N-EOUC (89.7%) between 1986 and 2015. During the median follow-up of 104.5 months, the overall exposure tomedications was comparable between patients with EOUC and N-EOUC (p=0.091 for corticosteroids, p=0.794 for thiopurines, and p=0.095 for anti-tumor necrosis factor agents). The cumula-tive risks of disease outcomes were also comparable between patients with EOUC and N-EOUC (22.4% vs 30.4% for proximal disease extension [p=0.351], 11.9% vs 18.1% for hospitalization [p=0.240], and 2.3% vs 1.8% for colectomy [p=0.977]) at 10 years after diagnosis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that corticosteroid use at diagnosis was an independent predic-tor of proximal disease extension (hazard ratio [HR], 6.216; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.314 to 28.826) and hospitalization (HR, 11.241; 95% CI, 3.027 to 41.742) in patients with EOUC. @*Conclusions@#In this population-based study from Korea, the pattern of medication use seemed comparable between the EOUC and N-EOUC groups. Moreover, patients with EOUC and those with N-EOUC have a similar disease course in terms of proximal disease extension, hospitaliza-tion, and colectomy.

Benign Gastric Ulcer with Epstein-Barr Virus Infection Mimicking Malignant Gastric Ulcer / 대한소화기학회지

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the cause of infectious mononucleosis, which is characterized by fever, lymphadenopathy, and sore throat. On the other hand, gastrointestinal symptoms of EBV infection like dyspepsia, abdominal pain are non-specific and rarely encountered, which means it is difficult to diagnose gastric involvement of EBV infection without suspicion. The relation between gastric carcinoma and gastric lymphoma associated with EBV infection is well defined, but relations with other EBV-associated gastrointestinal diseases such as gastritis and peptic ulcer disease have rarely been reported. We report a case of benign gastric ulcer with EBV infection confirmed by endoscopic and histological findings.

Case of Ischemic Colitis Associated with Pseudoephedrine

Ischemic colitis is the consequence of a sudden reduction in colon blood supply, which in turn results in ischemic injury. The splenic flexure and rectosigmoid junction are the areas most often affected. Ischemic colitis occurs with greater frequency in the elderly and is caused by various medications and procedures. Pseudoephedrine acts as a vasoconstrictor directly affecting adrenal receptors of nasal mucous membrane. Pseudoephedrine occasionally causes vascular insufficiency due to intense vasoconstriction, even at standard doses. Ischemic colitis associated with pseudoephedrine has been reported in other countries,, but it has never been reported in Korea. In this paper, we describe 3 cases of ischemic colitis that occurred after taking pseudoephedrine for nasal congestion.

A Case of Pleomorphic Liposarcoma in a Patient with Crohn's Disease Taking Azathioprine / 대한소화기학회지

Azathioprine is frequently used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Lymphomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas have been reported among patients receiving azathioprine therapy. Herein, we report a case of pleomorphic liposarcoma of chest wall which occurred in a 44-year-old man with Crohn's disease taking azathioprine. He was diagnosed with Crohn's disease 3 years ago after suffering from abdominal pain and hematochezia for 12 years. He had been taking 50 mg of azathioprine per day for 23 months when he visited the thoracic and cardiovascular surgery clinic due to right chest palpable mass that had rapidly grown during the past 2 months. Excisional biopsy was performed and the mass was diagnosed as pleomorphic liposarcoma. Therefore, he underwent radical excision of the right chest wall mass, which measured 11.0x6.5 cm in size. He is scheduled to receive radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Is It Useful to Perform Additional Colonoscopy to Detect Unmatched Lesion between Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography and Colonoscopy? / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Incidentally detected focal 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake was compared with colonoscopy. We investigated the characteristics of colon adenomas which were revealed on PET/CT. Then we identified whether additional colonoscopy was necessary in patients with lesions which were revealed on PET/CT but had no matched lesions on colonoscopy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 95 patients who underwent colonoscopy within a 6 month interval after they had focal FDG uptake from January 2010 to May 2012 at National Police Hospital in Korea. Also, we analyzed 30 patients who underwent additional colonoscopy within 2 years after they had no matched lesions on primary colonoscopy. RESULTS: PET/CT depicted 54.6% (41/75) of adenomas and adenocarcinomas. The PET visibility of colon adenoma was significantly associated with degree of dysplasia (p=0.027), histologic type (p=0.040), and the size (p=0.038). The positivity rate was increased with higher degree of dysplasia (low-grade dysplasia, 47%; high-grade dysplasia, 78%; adenocarcinoma, 100%) and villous patterns of histologic type (tubular, 46.8%; tubulovillous, 87.5%; villous, 100%). Patients with adenomas larger than 10 mm (87.5%) had higher detection rate compared to those with adenomas smaller than 10 mm (49.0%). Among the 30 patients who underwent additional colonoscopy, only one patient had a 6 mm sized tubular adenoma (low-grade dysplasia). CONCLUSIONS: Incidental focal colonic uptake may indicate advanced adenoma or adenocarcinoma. Thus, it justifies performing colonoscopy for identifying the presence of colon neoplasms. However, in case of unmatched lesions between PET/CT and colonoscopy, there was little evidence that additional colonoscopy would yield benefits.

A Case of Community-Acquired Acinetobacter Meningitis / 감염과화학요법

Acinetobacter baumannii infections have become significant pathogen in hospitalized patients, especially in the intensive care unit setting. Community-acquired Acinetobacter meningitis in adults is a very rare infection of the central nervous system. Most community-acquired Acinetobacter infections have been reported from countries with a tropical or subtropical climate. Acinetobacter infections mainly affect patients with some form of comorbidity and are also associated with heavy smoking and excess alcohol consumption. In our case, a 62-year-old male patient with DM, hypertension, and excess alcohol consumption developed meningitis. Bulging membrane and inflammation were observed in the right ear. A. baumannii meningitis was confirmed by blood, CSF, and ear discharge culture. The patient was treated effectively with meropenem for 21 days. After antibiotic treatment, follow-up cultures of CSF, blood, and ear discharge showed a negative result, and the CSF cell profile was normalized. However, the patient died of recurrent pneumonia on hospital day 45. We report on a case of community-acquired Acinetobacter meningitis in an adult in Korea.

A Case of Pyloric Gland Adenoma in the Cardia of the Stomach, Treated by Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection / 대한내과학회지

Pyloric gland adenoma is a recently described neoplasia that is very rare. It was first classified as a gastric tumor in 1990. Pyloric gland adenomas occur predominantly in old age, more frequently in women than in men, and they are often found in patients suffering from autoimmune gastritis. The diagnosis can be confirmed by immunohistochemistry, which is strongly positive for MUC6 and MUC5AC, expressed in the superficial layer. A pyloric gland adenoma is a type of gastric tumor, but it has also been reported in the gallbladder, pancreatic duct, duodenum, cervix of the uterus, rectum, and Barrett's esophagus. In 30% of gastric pyloric adenomas, transition to well-differentiated adenocarcinoma has been noted. Therefore, these lesionsshould be removed. In our case, the lesion was removed by endoscopic submucosal dissection. We report a case of pyloric gland adenoma in the cardia of the stomach showing typical endoscopic and microscopic features. This is the first case of pyloric gland adenoma of the stomach reported in Korea.

A Case of Peritonitis Due to Achromobacter xylosoxidans subsp. xylosoxidans in a Patient Undergoing Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) / 대한신장학회지

Bacterial peritonitis is a well-recognized complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in patients with end-stage renal failure. Achromobacter xylosoxidans subsp. xylosoxidans is a catalase and oxidase positive, motile, nonfermentative and gram-negative rod bacterium that is a rare pathogen in humans and has rarely been reported as an opportunistic human pathogen. We present a case of peritonitis due to unusual pathogens, Achromobacter xylosoxidans subsp. xylosoxidans. A 49-year-old diabetic man undergoing CAPD for 90 days developed the first peritonitis due to Achromobacter xylosoxidans subsp. xylosoxidans. A. xylosoxidans was detected from a culture of peritoneal fluid. Susceptible antibiotic treatment was provided.

A case of Tangier disease with two novel mutations in the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 gene / 대한내과학회지

Tangier disease (TD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of lipoprotein metabolism characterized by extremely low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apolipoprotein (apo) A-I resulting in accumulation of cholesterol esters in various organs. TD is caused by mutations in the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) gene. Here, we present the first case report of a Korean patient with TD. A 45-year-old man had corneal opacity, intestinal mucosa abnormalities, and extremely low levels of HDL-C (1.8 mg/dL) and apo A-I (T (p.G1050X) nonsense mutation and c.3202C>T (p.R1068C) missense mutation. The c.3202C>T mutation was not found in 192 normal control alleles.

Causes and clinical characteristics of syncope in combat and auxiliary police in Korea / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The most common type of syncope in young adults is neurocardiogenic in origin, which is not related to organic problems and has a benign nature. Therefore, there have been few reports regarding syncope in young Korean adults. Here, we examined the causes of syncope and its clinical characteristics in young combat and auxiliary police in Korea. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of the medical records of 193 combat and auxiliary police in Korea admitted to the National Police Hospital for syncope or presyncope between January 2004 and December 2007. RESULTS: The subjects' mean age was 21+/-1.2 years, and there were 2.8+/-2.9 episodes of syncope (mean+/-SEM). The first syncope occurred after enlistment in the police in 102 patients (52.8%). Basic diagnostic studies showed two cases of elevated creatine phosphokinase and one case of anemia to be related to syncope. Syncope-related traumatic injuries occurred in 38 patients (19.7%), and syncope was more prevalent in the summer. Head-up tilt test was performed in 175 of the 193 patients, and 123 showed a positive response. Other evaluations, including brain magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography, and echocardiography, were not helpful for diagnosis. Syncope was neurocardiogenic in origin in the majority of cases. Other causes of syncope were exhaustion (n=2), hyperventilation syndrome (n=2), Meniere's disease (n=1), anemia (n=1), and psychiatric problems (n=5). The causes of syncope could not be identified in 59 patients (30.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Neurocardiogenic syncope was the most common type in our study population. More than half of our patients experienced their first episode after enlisting with the police. Further studies in these groups are necessary.

Diagnostic Approach to a Patient with a Pleural Effusion Including Ultrasound-guided Paracentesis Performed by a Medical Resident / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: A patient with a pleural effusion that is difficult to safely drain by a "blind" thoracentesis procedure is generally referred to a radiologist for ultrasound-guided thoracentesis. But such a referral increases the cost and the patient's inconvenience, and it causes delay in the diagnostic procedures. If ultrasound-guided thoracentesis is performed as a bedside procedure by a medical resident, then this will reduce the previously mentioned problems. So these patients with pleural effusions were treated by medical residents at our medical center, and the procedures included bedside ultrasound-guided thoracenteses. METHODS: We studied 89 cases of pleural effusions from March 2003 to June 2005. A "blind" thoracentesis was performed if the amount of pleural effusion was moderate or large. Bedside ultrasound-guided thoracentesis was performed for small or loculated effusions or for the cases that failed with performing a "blind" thoracentesis. RESULTS: "Blind" thoracenteses were performed in 79 cases that had a moderate or large amount of uncomplicated pleural effusions and the success rate was 93.7% (74/79 cases). Ultrasound-guided thoracentesis by the medical residents was performed in 15 cases and the success rate was 66.7% (10/15 cases). The 5 failedcases included all 3 cases with loculated effusions and 2 cases with a small amount of pleural effusion. All the failed cases were referred to one radiologist and they were then successfully treated. If we exclude the 3 cases with loculated pleural effusions, the success rate of ultrasound-guided thoracentesis by the medical residents increased up to 83% (10/12 cases). Two cases of complications (1 pneumothorax, 1 hydrohemothorax) occurred during ultrasound-guided thoracentesis. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided thoracentesis performed as a bedside procedure by a medical resident may be relatively effective and safe. If a patient has a loculated effusion, then it would be better to first refer the patient to a radiologist.

Rhabdomyolysis due to hyponatremia in a patient taking benzodiazepines / 대한내과학회지

Hyponatremia is rarely reported to cause rhabdomyolysis and there has been only one case report on rhabdomyolysis due to hyponatremia, possibly complicated by benzodiazepines. We experienced a case of rhabdomyolysis due to hyponatremia during the use of benzodiazepines in a patient with an acute psychosis. A 60-year-old man was admitted to the emergency room due to altered mentality. He had been taking benzodiazepines for 1 month because of insomnia, uneasiness, and depression. His initial blood chemistry revealed severe hypotonic hyponatremia in the absence of polydipsia, edema, and features of dehydration. While correcting the hyponatremia, rhabdomyolysis developed with no evidence of trauma, seizures, or tremor. In patients with acute psychosis, the development of rhabdomyolysis due to hyponatremia or its correction should not be underestimated and should be assessed thoroughly. Clinicians also need to be aware of the potential risk of benzodiazepines for the development of rhabdomyolysis.

Incidence and Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A Virus among Korean Auxiliary Police Officers / 감염과화학요법

BACKGROUND: In Korea, cases with hepatitis A have been reported to Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the sentinel surveillance system. However, it was difficult to study the exact nation-wide incidence of hepatitis A infection. We studied the incidence of clinically apparent hepatitis A infection and the seroprevalence of anti-HAV IgG among auxiliary police officers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed clinically apparent and hospitalized hepatitis A patients from 2002 to 2006 in National Police Hospital via medical records. We also measured anti-HAV IgG antibody from 507 auxiliary police officers. RESULTS: The estimated annual incidence of clinically apparent hepatitis A infection among auxiliary police officers was 10.6-14.8 cases per 100,000 population from 2002 to 2006. The overall anti-HAV IgG seropositive rate among auxiliary police officers was 0.6% (3/507). CONCLUSION: Among auxiliary police officers, the estimated annual incidence of clinically apparent hepatitis A infection was above 10 cases per 100,000 population and the positive rate of anti-HAV IgG was very low. The results were comparable to those in the low endemicity countries. The routine HAV vaccination among auxiliary police officers might be suggested.

Incidence and Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A Virus among Korean Auxiliary Police Officers / 감염과화학요법

BACKGROUND: In Korea, cases with hepatitis A have been reported to Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the sentinel surveillance system. However, it was difficult to study the exact nation-wide incidence of hepatitis A infection. We studied the incidence of clinically apparent hepatitis A infection and the seroprevalence of anti-HAV IgG among auxiliary police officers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed clinically apparent and hospitalized hepatitis A patients from 2002 to 2006 in National Police Hospital via medical records. We also measured anti-HAV IgG antibody from 507 auxiliary police officers. RESULTS: The estimated annual incidence of clinically apparent hepatitis A infection among auxiliary police officers was 10.6-14.8 cases per 100,000 population from 2002 to 2006. The overall anti-HAV IgG seropositive rate among auxiliary police officers was 0.6% (3/507). CONCLUSION: Among auxiliary police officers, the estimated annual incidence of clinically apparent hepatitis A infection was above 10 cases per 100,000 population and the positive rate of anti-HAV IgG was very low. The results were comparable to those in the low endemicity countries. The routine HAV vaccination among auxiliary police officers might be suggested.

Difference in Helicobacter pylori eradication rates in patients with peptic ulcer and non-ulcer dyspepsia / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Physicians should try to achieve an optimal cure rate with their initial Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy. Most physicians tend to use the same combination of drugs. There have been several reports that H. pylori infection in patients with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is more likely to be cured than that in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD). However, there is no report in Korea about that issue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the difference of eradication rates of H. pylori between patients with PUD and patients with NUD in Korea. METHODS: 297 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, treated with seven-day triple therapy (proton pump inhibitor+amoxicillin+clarithromycin), and then performed follow-up urea breath test were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: 237 of 297 patients were PUD (98 gastric ulcers, 167 duodenal ulcers, 28 both ulcers), and 60 of 297 patients were NUD. The eradication rates were 85.7% (95% CI 80.6~89.6%) and 73.3% (95% CI 61.0~82.9%), respectively. The eradication rate of NUD group was lower than that of PUD group (p=0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Seven-day triple therapy showed lower eradication rate in patients with NUD than patients with PUD. Therefore, extention of treatment duration or use of more potent regimen may be needed for eradication of H. pylori in patients with NUD.

Three cases of dengue fever among the medical relief team serving in the tsunami region / 대한내과학회지

Dengue fever, which is caused by a mosquito-borne flavivirus, has become a major infectious- disease threat in tropical and subtropical areas. Dengue fever has also become a common cause of febrile infections in persons who have recently traveled. On December 26, 2004 the tsunami hit Southeast Asia. People who survived in those areas were infected with endemic disease such as dengue fever, malaria and cholera. We sent six members of the Korean medical relief team to the tsunami region. Three workers developed fever, chills and headache after leaving the tsunami region, and were diagnosed with Dengue fever. Such an outbreak of Dengue Fever in travelers is rarely reported.

Trial of Moxifloxacin-containing Triple Therapy after Initial and Second-line Treatment Failures for Helicobacter pylori Infection / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Proton-pump inhibitor (PPI)-based triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication is widely used with considerable failure rate. Bismuth-based, second-line therapy is also associated with failures in more than 20% of cases in Korea. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of third-line therapy containing moxifloxacin as a rescue in Korea. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 201 patients infected with H. pylori, who were treated with PPI-based therapy, 42 patients treated with bismuth-based after failure of initial PPI triple therapy, and 10 patients treated with moxifloxacin-containing triple therapy after failure of successive initial and second-line therapy. Eradication rate, compliance and side effect rates were compared. RESULTS: The eradication rates of initial, second-line, and third-line therapy were as follows: 67.2%/83.3%, 54.8%/76.7%, 80.0%/88.9% by intention-to-treat and per protocol analysis, respectively. The compliance of patients for each treatment was 98.2%, 90.9%, 100%, respectively. The side effect rate was significantly higher in the bismuth triple therapy than in the PPI- or moxifloxacin-containing triple therapy (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Moxifloxacin-containing triple therapy shows high eradication rate with fewer side effects and good compliance. Thus, this regimen could be used as a rescue therapy.