| Sub-title | |
| Authors | A Serracino Inglott M Zarb Adami L M Azzopardi S Caruana |
| Abstract | Helicobacter pylori infection is a causative agent for gastric pain. Patients referred for gastric endoscopy should be screened for Helicobacter pylori infection. The objective was to evaluate the management of patients infected with H. pylori. A questionnaire was developed consisting of sixteen open and close-ended questions. The questionnaire was used in an interview carried out with all 18 prescribers (consultants and surgeons) practising at the endoscopy unit at St Lukes General Hospital. The rate of H. pylori infection among patients undergoing gastric endoscopy or other diagnostic procedures and treatment modalities employed in H. pylori infected patients were established. Ten (56%) of the prescribers estimate that 1 in 3 of the patients undergoing an endoscopy are found to be H. pylori positive, 3 (17%) estimate 1 in 2 and 1 in 4. The majority of prescribers (94%) carry out diagnostic tests to assess H. pylori infection: 4(22%) using rapid urease test (RUT) only, 7 (39%) using histology only, and 7 (39%) using histology and RUT. Fifteen (83%) prescribers recommend triple therapy, 2 (11%) recommend quadruple therapy whilst 1 prescriber recommends dual therapy. Infection relapse was reported by 16 (89%) prescribers with 6 (33%) prescribers suspecting the incidence of drug resistance during H. pylori treatment. Six prescribers (33%) follow-up the treatment of the patients only if they are symptomatic and an alarming 12 prescribers (67%) do not consider the possibility of antibiotic resistance. A protocol for the management of patients presenting with H. pylori infection needs to be developed. Emphasis should be made on recent recommendations regarding therapy with particular reference to cost-effective regimens whilst monitoring local microbial sensitivity. |
Published in: | |
| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | Volume 15 (suppl) |
| Pages | - |
| Date | |
| Link to journal | |
| Key words | helicobacter pylori, infection, protocol, pharmacy |