The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is complex. Since some studies have suggested that H. pylori eradication may result in an increased incidence of GERD in duodenal ulcer patients, there have been debates about the protective function of H. pylori infection on GERD. H. pylori-associated antral gastritis can induce increased gastric acid output via increasing gastrin secretion. Changes in gastric acid secretion depend on the distribution (e.g. antral, corpus or pangastritis) or severity of gastritis, not on H. pylori infection itself. Patients with H. pylori infection are at risk of developing gastric mucosal atrophy, and a cohort study suggested that long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy for GERD may accelerate this process. Therefore, it has been recommended that H. pylori should be treated in GERD patients in whom a long-term antisecretory therapy is planned. The previous hypothesis that 'H. pylori infection protects from the development of GERD' is thought to be an erroneous concept recently.
Gastritis/microbiology ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/drug therapy/*microbiology ; Helicobacter Infections/*complications/drug therapy ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans

No abstract availble.
Adult ; Gastric Mucosa/*pathology ; Gastritis, Hypertrophic/microbiology/*pathology ; Gastroscopy ; Helicobacter Infections/complications/*drug therapy ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in oral cavity and the Hp infection in stomach.

METHODS102 patients with gastric Hp infection and periodontitis were enrolled in this study. DNA was extracted from subgingival plaques, mouthwashes and stomach mucosa samples by using the glass-milk (SiO2) purification method. To identify the presence of Hp in these samples, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) was carried out, and two pairs of oligonucleotide primer were used to amplify a portion of gene urease C and gene cag A of Hp.

RESULTSThe rate of Hp detected in oral cavity was significantly higher in patients with positive Hp in stomach (43.1%, n=58) than in those with negative Hp in stomach (22.7%, n=44, P<0.05). After the treatment for gastric Hp infection for 4 weeks, the eradication rate of Hp in stomach was lower, but only slightly in patients with positive oral Hp (16/25, 64%) than in those with negative oral Hp (24/33, 72.7%). However, this difference became apparent (36.0% vs 63.6%, P<0.05) after one year of the treatment.

CONCLUSIONSThe effectiveness of the eradication therapy for gastric Hp infection is affected by the presence of Hp in oral cavity. Oral colonization of Hp may imply that there is a risk of the relapses of gastric and duodenal Hp infection and ulcer after the antibiotics treatment for the eradication of Hp.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections ; complications ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Helicobacter pylori ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; microbiology ; Recurrence ; Stomach ; microbiology

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Korea was believed to be low until now. Korea is now believed to be on the evolving stage of GERD in its' prevalence. The aims of this study were to evaluate the epidemiologic and clinicopathologic characteristics among the subgroups of GERD i.e. non-erosive GERD (NERD), erosive GERD (ERD) and Barrett's esophagus (BE), and the role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in the pathogenesis of GERD. METHODS: A total of 253 patients with typical symptoms of GERD who underwent EGD were enrolled from October 2002 to January 2004. Patients were grouped as NERD, ERD or BE based on the symptoms and endoscopic findings. BE was histologically confirmed if necessary. Various clinical parameters including the status of H. pylori infection were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 253 patients, 106 patients were classified as NERD while 116 and 31 patients were classified as ERD and BE group respectively. BE and ERD group showed no gender predilection while NERD showed female preponderance (2.31:1, p<0.05). NERD group were younger (49.57 y.o.) than BE (57.87 y.o.) and ERD (52.30 y.o.) group. About three quarters of the patients of erosive esophagitis were LA-A (74.2%) grade. This suggests the mild nature of erosive esophagitis in Korea. ERD showed significantly higher BMI (kg/m2) compared to NERD (p<0.05). Hiatal hernia was frequently associated with BE and ERD (p<0.05), but less frequently in NERD. Overall H. pylori positivity among GERD was significantly lower than the age and gender matched control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Subgroups of GERD in Korea showed different epidemiologic and clinical characteristics. Lower rate of H. pylori infection among GERD group may reflect the protective role of H. pylori infection regarding GERD prevalence in Korea.
Aged ; Barrett Esophagus/diagnosis/drug therapy/microbiology ; Female ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/diagnosis/drug therapy/*microbiology ; Helicobacter Infections/*complications/drug therapy/epidemiology ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence

BACKGROUNDIron deficiency (ID) is still a great challenge to health care worldwide. Results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication on ID are contradictory. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of H. pylori eradication on ID with a meta-analysis of RCTs.

METHODSFive electronic databases were searched for RCTs evaluating the effect of H. pylori eradication on ID. Summary effects were assessed with the methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration.

RESULTSEight studies involving 800 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The overall analysis showed that H. pylori eradication accelerated the improvement of ferritin levels in ID people (mean difference (MD), 7.74 microg/L; 95%CI, 4.61 to 10.88; P < 0.00001). In a subgroup analysis, H. pylori eradication accelerated the improvement of ferritin levels one month (MD, 7.00 microg/L; 95%CI, 1.72 to 12.28; P = 0.009) and two months (MD, 9.80 microg/L; 95%CI, 2.22 to 17.40; P = 0.01) after the initiation of treatment. However, H. pylori eradication did not show a beneficial effect on the improvement of ferritin levels three months (MD, 7.20 microg/L; 95%CI, -3.25 to 17.65; P = 0.18), one year (MD, 10.17 microg/L; 95%CI, -1.00 to 21.34; P = 0.07) and forty months (MD, 1.00 microg/L; 95%CI, -0.57 to 2.57; P = 0.21) after the initiation of treatment. H. pylori eradication did not accelerate the improvement of hemoglobin concentrations in the overall analysis (MD, 0.38 g/dl; 95%CI, -0.45 to 1.22; P = 0.37). In a subgroup analysis, H. pylori eradication did not accelerate the improvement of hemoglobin concentrations one month (MD, -0.48 g/dl; 95%CI, -2.39 to 1.42; P = 0.62), three months (MD, -0.10 g/dl; 95%CI, -0.35 to 0.15; P = 0.44) and forty months (MD, 0.10 g/dl; 95%CI, -0.37 to 0.57; P = 0.68) after the initiation of treatment. However, H. pylori eradication accelerated the improvement of hemoglobin concentrations two months (MD, 1.96 g/dl; 95%CI, 1.48 to 2.44; P < 0.00001) and one year (MD, 0.37 g/dl; 95%CI, 0.08 to 0.65; P = 0.01) after the initiation of treatment.

CONCLUSIONSH. pylori eradication is likely to improve the absorption of oral ferrous. H. pylori infection may play some roles in the development of ID.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; blood ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Helicobacter Infections ; complications ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Quadruple therapy can be considered as a first-line therapy in areas where the resistance rate to clarithromycin is high. Comparison study of triple therapy and quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication is still lacking in Korea despite the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of triple and quadruple therapy as a first-line treatment in H. pylori infected patients with peptic ulcer. METHODS: Consecutive 149 cases of peptic ulcer disease associated with H. pylori infection were randomized either to proton pump inhibitor (PPI, bid), amoxicillin (1,000 mg, bid), and clarithromycin (500 mg, bid) (PAC group) or to PPI (bid), bismuth subcitrate (300 mg, qid), metronidazole (500 mg, tid), and tetracycline (500 mg, qid) (PBMT group) eradication treatments for 7 days. Outcome of eradication therapy was assessed by 13C-urea breath test performed 4-6 weeks after eradication. RESULTS: Eradication rates in PAC and PBMT group were 78.7% (59/75) and 71.6% (53/74) by intention to treat analysis, respectively (p=0.424). By per protocol analysis, eradication rates of PAC and PBMT group were 85.5% (59/69) and 85.5% (53/62), respectively (p=1.012). Adverse reactions occurred in 5 (6.6%) and 7 (9.5%) patients in PAC and PBMT group, respectively (p=0.346). CONCLUSIONS: One week-quadruple therapy as a first-line treatment for H. pylori infection does not offer any advantage over PPI-based triple therapy in Korean patients.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antacids/administration & dosage ; Anti-Infective Agents/administration & dosage ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; English Abstract ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections/complications/*drug therapy/microbiology ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptic Ulcer/microbiology ; Proton Pumps/antagonists & inhibitors

This study was purposed to investigate the infection incidence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and curative efficacy of glucocorticoids combined with anti-helicobacter. 100 ITP patients with positive HP were divided randomly into 3 groups: glucocorticoid group (treatment with glucocorticoids, n = 35), anti-HP treatment group (HP eradication, n = 30) and combined treatment group (glucocorticoid combined with HP eradication, n = 35). 100 healthy individuals were selected as control. The results showed that HP infection rate in ITP group was 70%, while HP infection rate in control group (persons received physical examination) was 56%, there was significant difference between two groups (p < 0.05). The HP of 31 cases in combined treatment group was eradicated that the platelet count in 23 out of 31 cases recovered to normal, and in 8 cases was higher than that before treatment, which mean count was (165 +/- 225) x 10(9)/L, this value had statistical significance as compared with that before treatment (p < 0.01). Total efficiency in this group reached to 89%, and relapse rate within 1 year was 8%. The HP infection of 2 cases in glucocorticoid group had been turned to negative naturally, and platelet count recovered to normal, while HP infection in remained 33 cases was still positive. The platelet count in 23 out of 33 cases of that group was not back to normal, but back to normal in 10 cases. The platelet mean count in that group was (78 +/- 26) x 10(9)/L with total efficiency rate of 68% and relapse rate within 1 year was 37%. In the anti-HP treatment group, HP infection in 25 cases was eradicated and platelet count in 9 out of 25 cases recovered to normal, that platelet count in 9 cases was higher than that before treatment, platelet mean count was (135 +/- 174) x 10(9)/L), there was significant difference (p < 0.01), as compared with value before treatment. Total efficiency rate in this group reached to 60%, and relapse rate within 1 year was 33%. It is concluded that the patients with ITP have higher HP infection incidence, and the eradication of HP is effective therapy for the ITP patients with HP infection, which can be used as initial treatment.
Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Case-Control Studies ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; therapeutic use ; Helicobacter Infections ; complications ; drug therapy ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Male ; Platelet Count ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; complications ; drug therapy ; microbiology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of anti-Helicobacter pylori on the inflammation mediators and prognosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction. METHODS: Routine urease test was carried out in patients with acute cerebral infarction in our hospital. The acute cerebral infarction patients with positive urease test were randomly divided into a treatment group (conventional therapy+anti-Helicobacter pylori therapy) and a control group (conventional therapy). C-reactive protein, triglycerides, and fibrinogen changes were examined before and after the treatment, symptoms of acute cerebral infarction conditions were observed,and 6-months and 1- year cerebral infarction readmission rates were measured in the 2 groups. RESULTS: Compared with before the treatment,the C-reactive protein, triglycerides, and plasma fibrinogen decreased significantly in the treatment group, while there was no significant change in the control group. The 6-months and 1-year cerebral infarction readmission rates were significantly lower than those in the control group. CONCLUSION H. pylori infection may be a risk factor for cerebral infarction. A positive anti-Helicobacter pylori infection treatment can significantly improve the efficiency of cerebral infarction and reduce the short-term readmission rate.
Aged ; Amoxicillin ; administration & dosage ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Cerebral Infarction ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; analysis ; Helicobacter Infections ; complications ; drug therapy ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Omeprazole ; administration & dosage ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides ; blood

This study was aimed to investigate the clinic significance of helicobacter pylori (HP) in children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The infection of HP in 92 ITP children was determined by (13) C-Urea Breath Test, the same test was also performed on 66 healthy children. The 68 children infected with HP were randomly divided into 2 groups: single drug group treated only with corticosteroid and; combined drug group treated with corticosteroid and anti-helicobacter pylori treatment. The results showed that 68 patients infected with HP were found in 92 ITP children (74.7%), 26 patients infected with HP were observed in 66 healthy children (39.4%), which was lower than that in ITP children (74.7%, P < 0.05). After anti-helicobacter pylori therapy, the total effective rate and cure rate of ITP patients increased respectively from 73.5% to 94.1%, and the total recurrence rate (17.0%) was much lower than single drug group (47.1%, P < 0.05). Otherwise, after therapy the platelet count in both two groups increased continuously, and at the same time point, the platelet count in anti-helicobacter pylori group was higher than that in the single drug group (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the ITP children have a higher infection rate of HP, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of ITP. Anti-helicobacter pylori therapy would help to improve the therapeutic efficacy and reduce the recurrence of ITP children.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; therapeutic use ; Breath Tests ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections ; complications ; drug therapy ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Male ; Platelet Count ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; complications ; microbiology ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The connection between Helicobacter pylori and complicated peptic ulcer disease in peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) patients taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has not been established. In this study, we sought to determine whether delayed H. pylori eradication therapy in PUB patients increases complicated recurrent peptic ulcers. METHODS: We identified inpatient PUB patients using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. We categorized patients into early (time lag < or =120 days after peptic ulcer diagnosis) and late H. pylori eradication therapy groups. The Cox proportional hazards model was used. The primary outcome was rehospitalization for patients with complicated recurrent peptic ulcers. RESULTS: Our data indicated that the late H. pylori eradication therapy group had a higher rate of complicated recurrent peptic ulcers (hazard ratio [HR], 1.52; p=0.006), with time lags of more than 120 days. However, our results indicated a similar risk of complicated recurrent peptic ulcers (HR, 1.20; p=0.275) in time lags of more than 1 year and (HR, 1.10; p=0.621) more than 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori eradication within 120 days was associated with decreased complicated recurrent peptic ulcers in patients with PUB. We recommend that H. pylori eradication should be conducted within 120 days in patients with PUB.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections/*drug therapy ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Readmission/*statistics & numerical data ; Peptic Ulcer/complications/*epidemiology/microbiology ; Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage/complications ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Recurrence ; Time-to-Treatment/*statistics & numerical data ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult