Eradication Rates of Helicobacter pylori in Korea Over the Past 10 years and Correlation of the Amount of Antibiotics Use: Nationwide Survey

Background: The efficacy of proton-pump inhibitor–amoxicillin–clarithromycin therapy for H. pylori eradication has decreased over time. Objective: We assessed the trend of H. pylori eradication rates over the last 10 years and the relationship between the eradication rates and the amount of macrolide antibiotic use in a country with a high prevalence of H. pylori infection. Methods: This vast nationwide multicenter study was conducted with 34,139 adults treated for H. pylori infection from January 2001 to December 2010. The defined daily dose per km² (DSD) of macrolide antibiotics was calculated (n = 141,019) using the Health Insurance Review & Assessment data base from 2008 to 2010 in the two cities which had the lowest (Jeju city) or highest (Chuncheon city) eradication rate. Results: The eradication rates of proton-pump inhibitor–amoxicillin–clarithromycin therapy ranged 84.9–87.5% from 2001 to 2007, and those of 2008 to 2010 ranged 80.0–81.4% with a decreasing trend (p < 0.0001). The decreasing trend of eradication rates for the overall first-line therapy was observed only in three of the seven geographic areas in Korea (p < 0.0001). The DSD of macrolide antibiotics was significantly higher in Jeju than Cheunchon city (0.85 vs 0.52, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: H. pylori eradication rates with clarithromycin-containing triple therapy in Korea showed a decreasing trend over the past 10 years, although the trend varied among geographic areas. This difference may be associated with the amount of macrolide antibiotic use.