A new study from Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) has demonstrated the significant advantages of telemedicine and at-home testing for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.
The research, recently published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, found that a simple at-home Urea Breath Test (UBT) offers a faster, more convenient, and highly accurate alternative to traditional in-clinic testing. This approach enables earlier diagnosis and treatment while reducing hospital visits and patient discomfort.
Patients in the community were given C13 UBT kits and invited to book an online video appointment with a gastrointestinal (GI) laboratory technician, who helped them complete the test at home. Patient samples were returned to the hospital for analysis.
The study, undertaken by the GI laboratory team at TUH, reviewed a total of 423 virtual appointments. Of these, 135 (32%) were male, with a mean age of 42 years. The test positivity rate was 22%, closely matching the 21% seen with in-person testing. Notably, there were no non-attenders and only two cancellations, and the patients who were booked into virtual clinics were significantly more likely to attend their appointments compared to those attending in person.
Professor Deirdre McNamara, Academic Consultant Gastroenterologist at TUH and senior author of the study, said: “Virtual UBT appointments saved 9,943.5 km of travel, equivalent to 254 hours of travel time and 1.24 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Of the 300 patients who returned feedback questionnaires, 92% rated their home breath test experience as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. These findings confirm that home testing for H. pylori is effective, well-accepted, and environmentally beneficial, reducing reliance on invasive and more costly procedures such as endoscopy. This service continues to run at TUH on a weekly basis.”
Commending the study, TUH CEO Barbara Keogh Dunne said: “This research demonstrates TUH’s ongoing commitment to innovation and the use of technology to enhance patient care. It’s an excellent example of how we’re delivering better outcomes through smarter, more sustainable healthcare solutions.”
