Network meta‐analysis of different dosages of esomeprazole and rabeprazole for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori

Abstract Background The optimal dosage of new generation proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in increasing cure rate of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection remains unclear. This network meta‐analysis aimed to comprehensively evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of different dosages of esomeprazole and rabeprazole in treating H. pylori infection. Materials and Methods We searched PubMed, Cochrane Central Registry for Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and EMBASE for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving esomeprazole and rabeprazole with different dosages from their inception through 31 March, 2022. After data extraction and risk of bias assessment, network meta‐analyses were conducted using STATA 14.0. We calculated the surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) to rank all regimens. Results Thirteen studies including 14 reports were included. Six dosages including rabeprazole 10 mg (R10bid), 20 mg (R20bid), and 40 mg (R40bid) twice daily and esomeprazole 20 mg (E20bid) and 40 mg (E40bid) twice daily as well as 40 mg once daily (E40qd) were identified. Network meta‐analysis suggested that R40bid ranked highest in the cure rate (83.8%), followed by E40bid (82.6%), E20bid (54.5%), R20bid (34.2%), R10bid (22.8%), and E40qd (22.0%); however, E40qd ranked highest in adverse events (91.1%), followed by R20bid (57.8), R10bid (57.6%), E20bid (38.9%), E40bid (34.2%), and R40bid (20.4%). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these results. Conclusions Based on the available evidence, R40bid and E40bid might be the optimum dosage to increase the cure rate; however, E40qd was superior for adverse events. Nevertheless, future studies should validate the results from this network meta‐analysis.