The first-line regimens of Helicobacter pylori eradication in Korea

Abstract

Approximately half of the world's population is infected by Helicobacter pylori, which causes various gastrointestinal diseases including gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and gastric cancer. The conventional triple therapy, that consists of proton pump inhibitor (PPI), amoxicillin, and clarithromycin, is widely used in Korea because of high resistance rates of H. pylori against metronidazole. Recently, however, clarithromycin-resistance rates have also increased and the eradication rate of conventional triple therapy has been unacceptable. In order to increase the eradication rate of H. pylori, various regimens have been suggested. Understanding H. pylori eradication regimens will help select drugs in the management of H. pylori infection.