# Improving Helicobacter pylori Treatment Standards: A Quality Improvement Project Against Maastricht VI Guidelines

## TL;DR

This study evaluated H. pylori treatment practices and found that while cure rates were good among those who followed up, many patients did not complete the necessary follow-up tests.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into treatment adherence and follow-up challenges in H. pylori management.

## Key findings

- 80% of retested patients achieved successful H. pylori eradication.
- Only 36% of total treated patients completed eradication confirmation due to incomplete follow-up.
- Bismuth-based quadruple therapy was the most commonly prescribed treatment regimen.

## Abstract

Helicobacter pylori is a common infection associated with dyspeptic symptoms and long-term gastrointestinal complications when left untreated. This quality improvement project (QIP) was conducted over a six-month period with the aim of evaluating current diagnostic practice, treatment regimens, follow-up completion, and eradication outcomes in patients managed for H. pylori infection. A total of 200 adult patients were included, with a median age of 39 years and a slightly higher representation of men. Epigastric pain and burning were the most frequently reported symptoms, followed by nausea and bloating. Diagnosis was confirmed in all patients using the urea breath test or endoscopy-based methods, demonstrating appropriate compliance with recommended diagnostic standards. Bismuth-based quadruple therapy was the most commonly prescribed regimen, while clarithromycin-based triple therapy was used in a smaller proportion of cases. Follow-up attendance was recorded in 125 patients, and 90 of these underwent re-testing one month post-therapy. Successful eradication was documented in 72 of the retested patients, reflecting an 80% eradication rate in those who returned for confirmation. Among the 90 patients who underwent re-testing after follow-up, 80% (72/90) achieved successful eradication. Although the cure rate among retested patients was satisfactory, overall eradication confirmation represented only 36% of the total treated population due to incomplete follow-up and low re-testing rates. Strengthening patient education regarding the importance of treatment adherence, test-of-cure verification, and timely review may improve future outcomes.