Comparison of Effects of Levofloxacin and Tinidazole Based Triple Therapy on Healing of Duodenal Ulcer

Objective:To compare the effects of levofloxacin based triple therapy with tinidazole based triple therapy in the treatment of duodenal ulcer with Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection. Methods:117 patients with duodenal ulcer (A1) and Hp infection were randomly divided into two groups. Levofloxacin group (group A,n=59) received therapy with esomeprazole 20mg twice a day plus amoxicillin 1.0g twice a day and levofloxacin 0.5g once a day for one week,then esomeprazole 20mg once a day for 21 days. Tinidazole group (group B,n=58) received the same therapeutic protocol with group A,but tinidazole 0.5g twice a day instead of levofloxacin. After 4 to 6 weeks of treatment,the second endoscopic and Hp examinations were made to evaluate the ulcer healing rate and Hp eradication rate. Results:The ulcer healing rate of levofloxacin group (91.5%) was similar to that of tinidazole group (87.9%) (P0.05). There were no differences in ulcer healing rate between them. But the Hp eradication rate of levofloxacin group (91.5%) was significantly higher than that of tinidazole group (72.4%) (P0.05). The side effect rate of group B (15.5%) was higher than that of group A (8.5%),but there were no differences between them(P0.05). Conclusion: The ulcer healing rate of levofloxacin based triple therapy is similar to that of tinidazole based triple therapy,but the Hp eradication rate is significantly increased and the side effect rate is decreased.