RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Dual versus triple therapy of Helicobacter pylori infection: results of a multicentre trial JF Archives of Disease in Childhood JO Arch Dis Child FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health SP 68 OP 70 DO 10.1136/adc.81.1.68 VO 81 IS 1 A1 Rolf Behrens A1 Thomas Lang A1 Klaus M Keller A1 Lutz Bindl A1 Michael Becker A1 Burkhard Rodeck A1 Peter Küster A1 Gerhard F Wündisch A1 Manfred Stolte YR 1999 UL http://adc.bmj.com/content/81/1/68.abstract AB OBJECTIVE To compare dual therapy (omeprazole and amoxicillin) with triple therapy (omeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin) in the treatment ofHelicobacter pylori infection. The efficacy of 1 mg/kg/day omeprazole was randomly compared with 2 mg/kg/day. STUDY DESIGN 252 patients (median age, 11.0 years; range, 3–18) presenting with chronic abdominal pain underwent endoscopy and a 13C-urea breath test. Gastric biopsy specimens were taken for histological examination and for the rapid urease test. Patients were treated for two weeks: group A (n = 63) received amoxicillin (50 mg/kg; maximum, 2 g/day), group B (n = 73) received amoxicillin and clarithromycin (20 mg/kg; maximum, 1 g/day). Both groups were randomly treated with either 1 or 2 mg/kg omeprazole (maximum, 80 mg/day). Diagnostic procedures were repeated four weeks after the end of treatment. RESULTS 11 patients were excluded; 136 patients were H pyloripositive (56%), 105 of whom were re-examined after treatment.Helicobacter pylori was eradicated in 52% of group A and 83% of group B. The dose of omeprazole had no influence on the eradication rate. Specificity and sensitivity of the rapid urease test were 94% and 93%, respectively. Specificity and sensitivity of the 13C-urea breath test were 93% and 95%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Dual therapy can no longer be recommended. Triple therapy is more effective than dual therapy in the eradication of H pylori infection. The lower dose of 1 mg/kg omeprazole was as effective as 2 mg/kg.