Use of WeChat-based patient-doctor interaction improves patient experience, but not outcomes, of Helicobacter pylori treatment: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract Aim To investigate whether a WeChat-based patient-doctor interaction (WPDI) could improve treatment outcomes and patient experience of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. Methods Treatment-naive patients were randomly allocated to either the WPDI group or the control group in a 1:1 ratio. The WPDI group received routine education consisting of oral education and written materials, then joined a WeChat group chat and participated in the interaction with physicians. On the other hand, the control group received only routine education. Subsequently, all participants received vonoprazan-containing quadruple therapy. To evaluate the eradication rate, the urea breath test was examined six weeks after the treatment. Additionally, patient experience, compliance, and adverse events were further evaluated. Results In total, 438 patients were enrolled for randomization. The WPDI group achieved eradication rates of 90.4% (198/219), 93.4% (198/212), and 94.2% (194/206), as evaluated by intention-to-treat, modified intention-to-treat, and per-protocol analysis, respectively. The eradication rates were comparable to those in the control group (89.5% [196/219], 93.3% [196/210], and 94.6% [192/203]. More patients voted that the treatment was satisfactory or very satisfactory in the WPDI group (90.3% vs. 74.9%; P < 0.001), whereas more participants tended to feel worried (16.0% vs. 26.1%; P = 0.012) and perturbed (11.7% vs. 22.7%; P = 0.003) during the treatment period in the control group. The two groups exhibited similar levels of compliance and adverse events. Conclusions The WeChat-based patient-doctor interaction improved patient experience significantly; however, the treatment outcomes of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy were not promoted significantly.