Effect of enhanced patient instructions on Helicobacter pylori eradication: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Abstract

To improve Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication rate, enhanced patient instructions (EPI) such as telephone-based re-education, short-message service, and Wechat have been proposed with conflicting results. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of EPI on H. pylori eradication. The PROSPERO registered number of this study is CRD42021278536. PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL database were searched to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to September 2021. Meta-analysis was performed to estimate the pooled relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random-effects model. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was conducted to determine the robustness of the H. pylori eradication rate. Nine RCTs were included. Compared with patients receiving only regular instructions, patients received EPI showed significantly higher H. pylori eradication rate (n=8 RCTs, ITT analysis: RR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.06-1.35; PP analysis: RR=1.12, 95% CI:1.02-1.23) and better patient compliance (n=8 RCTs, RR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.09-1.39), as well as higher patient satisfaction (n=3 RCTs, RR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.14-1.76). However, there were no significant difference between groups in the incidence of total adverse events (n=6 RCTs, RR=0.66, 95%CI: 0.40-1.08) and symptom relief rates (n=2 RCTs, RR=1.17, 95% CI: 0.89-1.54). The TSA result indicated that the effect was robust. Evidence from our meta-analysis shows that EPI intervention may be a promising strategy to improve H. pylori eradication rate, patient compliance, and patient satisfaction.