The efficacy of first-line regimens for Helicobacter pylori eradication in different continents: A systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol

BACKGROUND: Striking prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection has been convoluted with considerable resistance to various antibiotics worldwide. Although many eradication regimens have been introduced as the first-line therapies against H pylori, lack of appropriate multiple comparison studies makes hard to implement such results to the clinical practice. This project attempts to utilize a comprehensive network meta-analysis to pool the results of clinical trial comparing various first-line eradication therapies simultaneously in different continents. METHODS: We will include all randomized controlled trials assessing the first-line regimens for treatment of H pylori published in last 10 years. We will search the databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number registry, World Health Organisation International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and ClinicalTrials.gov for randomized controlled trials published since January 2009 without language limitation. The primary and secondary outcomes will be H pylori eradication rate and adverse events, respectively. Subgroup analyses will be conducted for different continents. Two reviewers will independently contribute in study selection and data extraction. For evaluating quality of studies, Cochrane Collaboration tool score will be used. We will conduct network meta-analysis for treatment comparisons using STATA software version 13. RESULTS: These findings will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. CONCLUSION: Our results will provide the guidance for clinicians in deferent regions to select the best possible therapeutic regimen for treatment of H pylori infected patients. REGISTRATION NUMBER: This systematic review and network meta-analysis has been registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, with registration number CRD42017077061.