II. Indications

  1. Dyspepsia evaluation
  2. Initial diagnosis of H. pylori
  3. Confirmation of cure after H. Pylori Management (test 6 weeks after)

III. Mechanism

  1. Measures urease activity
  2. Detected via nonradioactive isotope carbon 13 or carbon 14

IV. Efficacy: Accurate for Diagnosis for H. pylori

  1. Test Sensitivity: 97%
  2. Test Specificity: 100%
  3. Test Sensitivity: 96 to 100%
  4. Test Specificity: 93 to 100%
  5. Likelihood: LR+ 12, LR- 0.05
  6. Requires Fasting for 6 hours, no PPI for 2 weeks before test, and expensive

V. Advantages

  1. In-office test with high accuracy
  2. Noninvasive test of H. pylori cure

VI. Disadvantages

  1. Stop Proton Pump Inhibitors 2 weeks before test
  2. Patient must fast for 6 hours before test
  3. More expensive than stool Antigen testing (averages $133)

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Related Studies

Ontology: Helicobacter pylori breath test (C0458053)

Concepts Diagnostic Procedure (T060)
SnomedCT 145569006, 168377002, 164791003
English Helicobacter pylor breath test, breath test helicobacter pylori, helicobacter pylori breath test, Helicobacter pylori breath test, Helicobacter pylori breath test (procedure)
Spanish prueba del aliento para detección de Helicobacter pylori (procedimiento), prueba del aliento para detección de Helicobacter pylori