Document Type : original article

Authors

1 Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Research Development Unit, Hajar Hospital, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

2 Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences

3 Assistant Professor of Biostatistics, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.

4 Clinical Research Development Unit, Hajar Hospital, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.

10.22038/ijp.2023.74778.5364

Abstract

Introduction and aim: The effectiveness of eradicating Helicobacter pylori infection in improving the symptoms of chronic gastritis has been examined; however, the results of the studies have been contradictory, especially in childhood. This study aimed to compare the clinical effectiveness of sequential Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment and proton pump inhibitor alone in children with chronic Helicobacter pylori-positive gastritis.

Methods: This randomized double-blinded clinical trial was conducted on 84 children aged 5 to 15 years suffering from Helicobacter pylori-associated active chronic gastritis. The patients were assigned to receive sequential therapy including omeprazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and metronidazole or omeprazole alone as the control. Before and 2 and 4 months after, the severity of clinical symptoms was assessed.

Results: Assessing the clinical manifestations between intervention and control groups before and after therapeutic regimens showed significantly lower severity grades of some symptoms including heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux, and abdominal pain in the epigastric area in the former group (P<0.05). The assessment of the frequency of clinical symptoms in the intervention and control groups also indicated a greater reduction in epigastric pain in the group treated with Helicobacter pylori eradication as compared to the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Prescribing a sequential Helicobacter pylori eradication regimen can lead to reducing the severity of clinical symptoms in children suffering from chronic gastritis.

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