Lab
Urea Breath Test
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Urea Breath Test
, Urease Breath Test
See Also
Helicobacter pylori Noninvasive Testing
Indications
Dyspepsia
evaluation
Initial diagnosis of
H. pylori
Confirmation of cure after
H. pylori
management (test 6 weeks after)
Mechanism
Measures urease activity
Detected via nonradioactive isotope carbon 13 or carbon 14
Efficacy
Accurate for Diagnosis for
H. pylori
Test Sensitivity
: 97%
Test Specificity
: 100%
Advantages
In-office test with high accuracy
Noninvasive test of
H. pylori
cure
Disadvantages
Stop
Proton Pump Inhibitor
s 2 weeks before test
Patient must fast for 6 hours before test
More expensive than stool
Antigen
testing (averages $133)
References
Calvet (2009) Clin Infect Dis 48(10): 1385-91 +PMID:19368506 [PubMed]
Cutler AF (1995) Gastroenterology 109:136-41 +PMID:7540995 [PubMed]
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