Urea Breath Test

Aka: Urea Breath Test, Urease Breath Test

advertisement

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%

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)

VII. References

  1. Calvet (2009) Clin Infect Dis 48(10): 1385-91 +PMID:19368506 [PubMed]
  2. Cutler AF (1995) Gastroenterology 109:136-41 +PMID:7540995 [PubMed]

Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)

These images are a random sampling from a Bing search on the term "Urea Breath Test." Click on the image (or right click) to open the source website in a new browser window. Search Bing for all related images

Related Studies (from Trip Database) Open in New Window

Related Topics in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

advertisement

2018 Family Practice Notebook, LLC. Terms | Privacy (UBM) | About | Site Map | Blog

Footer Site Logo