Korean Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2011;42(6): 349-355.
Effect of Additional Ecabet Sodium on Conventional Triple Therapy for
Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Korea
Ji Yeon Kim, M.D., Dong Ho Lee, M.D.*, Jun Hyuk Son, M.D., Jae Yeon Kim, M.D., Ji Eun Kwon, M.D., Young Soo Park, M.D.*,
Nayoung Kim, M.D.*, Cheol Min Shin, M.D.*, Hyun Chae Jung, M.D. and In Sung Song, M.D.
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul,*Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
Abstract
Background/Aims: Ecabet sodium is known for its bactericidal effect against H.
pylori. It was reported that a supplement of ecabet sodium to conventional triple
therapy showed good results in Asia. The Aim of this study was to ascertain the
efficacy of additional ecabet sodium on conventional triple therapy for eradication
of H. pylori.
Methods: We reviewed the cases of 111 patients (Group A) with H. pylori infection
who received ecabet sodium with triple therapy (20 mg of rabeprazole, 1 g of
amoxicillin, 500 mg of clarithromycin and 1 g of ecabet sodium, twice daily for 7
days). Another 186 patients (Group B) received PPI-based triple therapy (same as
the above, except without the ecabet sodium). Eradication was evaluated 4 weeks
later after completion of treatment by 13C-UBT.
Results: Eradication rates were 74.8% (83/111) in group A and 70.4% (131/186) in
group B by intention-to-treat analysis (p=0.420), and 75.2% (82/109) in group A
and 70.7% (128/181) in group B by per protocol analysis (p=0.405).
Conclusions: The addition of ecabet sodium to conventional triple therapy did not
increase the eradication rate of H. pylori in this study. These findings imply that
ecabet sodium as an additional agent cannot overcome antibiotic resistance, which
is the most important cause of failure of triple therapy.