A new study from Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) has demonstrated the significant advantages of telemedicine and at-home testing for patients, particularly in diagnosing and managing Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.
The research, just 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.
Doctors typically recommend the UBT for individuals experiencing symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting or acid reflux.
Unlike endoscopy, which is invasive, the breath test is non-invasive, reliable, and easy to perform at home, making it a patient-friendly diagnostic option.
Patients in the community were given C13 urea breath test kits and invited to book an online video appointment with a Gastrointestinal (GI) lab technician, who helped them do the test at home.
After completing the test, patients sent their samples back to the hospital—either through their GP, by mail, or by dropping them off at a designated hospital location—for analysis.
The study, undertaken by the GI Laboratory Team at TUH, and Gastroenterology Specialist Registrar Dr Conor Costigan (pictured above), reviewed a total of 423 virtual appointments. Dr Costigan reflected:
“Of these, 135 (32%) were male, with a mean age of 42 years. The test positivity rate was 22%, closely matching the 21% seen in 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, highlighted the broader impact of virtual testing:
“Virtual UBT appointments saved 9,943.5 km of travel, equivalent to 254 hours of travel time and 1.24 metric tonnes of CO? 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.”
TUH CEO Barbara Keogh Dunne (pictured above) commended the study, saying:
“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.”
The full study, “Virtual Urea Breath Testing for H. pylori Infection: A Telemedicine Innovation in Gastroenterology”, is available in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.
Click here to read the new research.