High Efficacy of Rapid Urine Test for Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Thai People

Background: Accurate diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection plays an important role in further effective treatment. Rapid urine test (RAPIRUN) is a test developed for qualitative detection of urine H. Pylori antibody and use for determine the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. However, the test needs validation in Thai population before using in clinical practice. Objective: This study aimed to compare performance of different diagnostic tests on H. pylori detection in Thai population. Methods: Total of 94 patients with dyspepsia who referred to Thammasat University Hospital, Pathumthani, Thailand, between December 2012 and April 2013 were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent gastroscopy. Then, 3 biopsies at antrum were taken for H. pylori diagnosis. including rapid urease test (Pronto Dry, Eisai, Thailand), H. pylori culture, and histopathology. Urine samples were also collected at the same time for rapid urine test (RAPIRUN H. pylori Antibody, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.). Patients were diagnosed with H. pylori-positive if their culture or rapid urease tests plus histopathology yielded positive results. Results: Total of 29 patients (30.9%) were infected with H. pylori. Prevalence of H. pylori infection by rapid urease test, histopathology, culture and rapid urine test were 25.5%, 28.7%, 29.8%, and 32.9% respectively. We observed that rapid urease test, histopathology, culture, and rapid urine test had sensitivity of 82.8%, 93.1%, 93.1% and 86.2%; specificity of 100%, 100%, 100%, and 90.8%; and accuracy of 95.7%, 97.9%, 97.9%, and 89.4%, respectively. Conclusion: Rapid urine test (RAPIRUN) provided a reliable result for diagnosis of H. pylori infection. Furthermore, this rapid urine test demonstrated high accuracy, reliable, safe handle and easy to use. We suggested rapid urine test for diagnosis of H. pylori infection in Thai population since we found it less invasive and with higher reliable efficacy.