Table 1.

Clinical Characteristics of Patients

Variables	H pylori Infected	Uninfected
Age, y	46 (21–73)	45 (24–68)
Male/female	53/39	18/14

NOTE. Values are median (interquartile range) or n. Exclusion criteria were previous treatment for H pylori infection, use of inhibitors of acid secretion or antibiotics during the 2 months before the study, use of anticoagulant drugs in the last week, gastrointestinal malignancy, severe concomitant cardiovascular, respiratory or endocrine diseases, clinically significant renal or hepatic disease, hematological disorders, previous gastroesophageal surgery, history of allergy to any of the drug used in the study, pregnancy or lactation, alcohol abuse, drug addiction, severe neurological or psychiatric disorders, and long-term use of corticosteroids or anti-inflammatory drugs.