Comparison between a new 13C-urea breath test, using a film-coated tablet, and the conventional 13C-urea breath test for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background: In Japan, urea breath-testing includes mouth rinsing with water immediately after the ingestion of (13)C-urea solution, to prevent false-positive results that are caused by oral bacteria with urease activity. Our objective was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a urea breath test using a film-coated (13)C-urea tablet and omitting mouth rinsing.

Methods: The study was a multicenter trial comparing the solution- and tablet-based urea breath tests (UBTs). Helicobacter pylori status was determined by histology, culture, and rapid urease testing.

Results: Of the 255 subjects who completed the study, evaluation of the tablet-based UBT was possible in 254, and comparison of the tablet-based UBT and the solution-based UBT was possible in 250 patients. When the assessment achieved by a combination of biopsy-based methods was used as a reference standard, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the tablet-based method were determined to be 97.7%, 98.4%, and 98.0%, respectively. When the results of the solution-based UBT were used as a reference standard, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the tablet-based UBT were determined to be 96.9%, 97.6%, and 97.2%, respectively.

Conclusions: The (13)C-urea tablet-based method proved to be a simple and accurate test for the diagnosis of H. Pylori infection. Mouth rinsing was not required.