Evaluation of the Rapid Urease Test (RUT) Device for Rapid Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori in Middle-Aged and Elderly Taiwanese Patients

The rapid urease test (RUT) is a reliable method for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infections in endoscopy suites; however, there is a need for tests with enhanced sensitivity and faster results. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the new dry detection device test compared to the gel detection device and Pronto Dry RUT in detecting Helicobacter pylori infection among middle-aged and elderly Taiwanese individuals. A total of 100 participants with suspected Helicobacter pylori infection undergoing upper gastroscopy were prospectively enrolled. The dry detection device demonstrated a 99% concordance rate with the Pronto Dry RUT, with seven participants testing positive for Helicobacter pylori using both tests. In contrast, the gel detection device detected only six positive cases, highlighting the superior diagnostic sensitivity of the dry detection device. Additionally, the dry detection device produced significantly faster results than the gel detection device. These findings suggest that the dry detection device is a suitable and efficient RUT for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori in middle-aged and elderly patients. Further studies are warranted to explore its application in broader populations and clinical settings.