Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible for inclusion.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies comparing different durations (7, 10 or 14 days) of PPI-based triple therapy, as a first-line eradication therapy for H. pylori, were eligible for inclusion. Eligible therapies included a PPI with clarithromycin and amoxicillin or a PPI with clarithromycin and metronidazole, administered twice daily at
recommended doses. The included studies used various regimens (details provided). The PPIs in the included studies were omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole and esomeprazole. In the majority of studies, PPIs were combined with amoxicillin (1 g) and clarithromycin (500 mg).
Participants included in the review
Studies of patients being treated for H. pylori infection were eligible for inclusion, including patients with a diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease or nonulcer dyspepsia at enrolment. The presence of H. pylori infection needed to be demonstrated by at least one high-accuracy diagnostic test (urea breath test, stool antigen test, gastric mucosal biopsy for histology, rapid urease test, or culture). The majority of included studies were of patients with peptic ulcer.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Studies assessing the eradication of H. pylori infection were eligible for inclusion. Eradication of the infection needed to be confirmed at least 4 weeks after completion of treatment, based on an appropriate diagnostic test. The included studies had to report intention-to-treat data. The majority of studies assessed eradication using the urea breath test alone or in combination with another test. The frequency and type of adverse events were also evaluated.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
Two reviewers independently selected studies for inclusion.