METHODS

Design:

randomised controlled trial.

Allocation:

{concealed*}†.

Blinding:

unblinded.*

Follow up period:

5 weeks.

Setting:

ambulatory internal medicine clinics of 2 university affiliated hospitals in Canton, Ohio, USA.

Patients:

160 patients aged ⩾18 years (mean age 50 y, 57% women) who had dyspepsia and H pylori infection, a Glasgow Dyspepsia Severity Score (GDSS) ⩾3 (score range 0–20), and a positive carbon 14 urea breath test result. Exclusion criteria included previous treatment of H pylori infection, pregnancy, personal or family history of gastrointestinal malignancy, antibiotic therapy in the previous 6 weeks, previous gastric surgery, and hepatic insufficiency.

Interventions:

1 day regimen of 2 …