Optimization of Minocycline‐Containing Bismuth Quadruple Therapy for <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> Rescue Treatment: A Real‐World Evidence Study
Yü Huang, Shuhan Qiu, Yixian Guo, Jinnan Chen, Meixuan Li, Zhaohui Ding, Wei Zhang, Liang Xiao, Hong Lü
Abstract
ABSTRACT Background The optimal dosage of minocycline remains unclear for Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) eradication. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of four different regimens with minocycline and metronidazole compared to classical bismuth quadruple therapy for H. pylori rescue treatment. Materials and Methods From March 2021 to March 2024, refractory H. pylori ‐infected patients with at least two previous treatment failures who received 14‐day therapy with b.i.d. proton pump inhibitor 20 mg and bismuth 220 mg, plus tetracycline 400 mg q.i.d and metronidazole 400 mg q.i.d (BQT), or minocycline 50 mg q.i.d and metronidazole 400 mg q.i.d (PBMn 4 M 4 ), or minocycline 50 mg t.i.d and metronidazole 400 mg t.i.d (PBMn 3 M 3 ), or minocycline 50 mg b.i.d and metronidazole 400 mg q.i.d (PBMn 2 M 4 ), or minocycline 50 mg b.i.d and metronidazole 400 mg t.i.d (PBMn 2 M 3 ) were included in this retrospective study. H. pylori eradication was assessed by 13 C‐urea breath test at least 6 weeks after treatment. All adverse effects during treatment were recorded. Results Totally, 823 patients were enrolled: 251 with BQT, 97 with PBMn 4 M 4 , 191 with PBMn 3 M 3 , 108 with PBMn 2 M 4 , and 176 with PBMn 2 M 3 . The eradication rates of BQT, PBMn4M4, PBMn3M3, PBMn2M4, and PBMn2M3 were 89.2%, 87.6%, 91.6%, 88.0%, and 91.5%, respectively, by intention‐to‐treat analysis; 96.1%, 97.7%, 97.8%, 96.9%, and 97.6%, respectively, by modified intention‐to‐treat analysis; 97.1%, 97.5%, 97.7%, 96.8%, and 97.6%, respectively, by per‐protocol analysis. Metronidazole resistance did not affect the efficacy of all groups. PBMn 2 M 3 group achieved the greatest compliance and the fewest moderate and severe adverse events. Conclusions The novel bismuth‐containing quadruple therapy with a low dose of minocycline and metronidazole is an alternative to classical bismuth quadruple therapy for H. pylori rescue treatment with superior safety and compliance. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06332599