WeChat-based patient-doctor interaction improves patient experience in H. pylori infection treatmentA WeChat chat group did not improve stomach bug cure rates compared to standard care

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy often involves complex medication regimens and may be accompanied by adverse events, which can negatively affect treatment outcomes and experience. Effective patient-doctor communication may help address these challenges. This study primarily aimed to evaluate whether a WeChat-based patient-doctor interaction (WPDI) system could improve H. pylori treatment outcomes while simultaneously enhancing patient experience. In this prospective, open-label randomized controlled trial, treatment-naïve H. pylori-infected patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either a WPDI group or a control group. All participants received routine patient education and a 14-day vonoprazan-containing quadruple therapy. In addition to routine education, patients in the WPDI group were invited to participate in a physician-moderated WeChat group that allowed real-time communication and consultation during treatment. Patient experience, compliance, and adverse events were assessed through a standardized telephone interview after completion of therapy, and H. pylori eradication was confirmed by a 13C-urea breath test six weeks after treatment. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov. (No. NCT04850209). 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]. The assessment results of patient experience showed that more patients voted that the treatment was satisfactory or very satisfactory in the WPDI group (90.3% vs. 74.9%; P  The WeChat-based patient-doctor interaction improved patient experience of H. pylori eradication therapy significantly while the treatment outcomes were not promoted significantly.