Once confirmed with H. pylori infection and having signed the informed consent, participants were randomly assigned to either the standard triple-therapy group (RAK: rabeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1 g and clarithromycin 500 mg, all twice daily for 7 days) or the bismuth plus standard triple-therapy group (RBAK: rabeprazole 20 mg, bismuth subcitrate 360 mg, amoxicillin 1 g and clarithromycin 500 mg, all twice daily for 7 days). A computer-generated random number was chosen for randomization. The patients and physicians were not blinded to the therapy assigned.