The efficacy of Helicobacter pylori eradication regimen with and without vitamin C supplementation.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin C in gastric juice and in vitro has been shown to inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of addition of vitamin C to eradication regimen on H. pylori eradication rate.

PATIENTS: This randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted on 312 patients with H. pylori infection who had referred to the Taleghani Research Center of Gastroenterology and Liver Disease.

METHODS: Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group A patients (162 patients) received amoxicillin 1g and metronidazole 500 mg b.i.d., bismuth 240 mg b.i.d. and omeprazole 40 mg q.i.d. in two divided doses. Patients in group B (150 patients) received the same regimen plus 500 mg vitamin C per day. All patients received therapy for 2 weeks. Four weeks later all patients underwent urea breath test and results were compared.

RESULTS: A total of 140 patients in group A and 141 in group B completed the study. On intention-to-treat analysis 48.8% of patients in group A in comparison to 78% in group B responded to eradication therapy and had negative urea breath test (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION: Addition of vitamin C to H. pylori treatment regimen of amoxicillin, metronidazole and bismuth can significantly increases H. pylori eradication rate.