title: Helicobacter pylori-negative gastric ulcer.
abstract: Causes of Helicobacter pylori (HP)-negative gastric ulcers (GUs) have not previously been systematically studied. In this study we examined possible causes of HP-negative GUs. Among 115 consecutive patients with endoscopic diagnoses of GU, 71 (62%) had HP infection, and 44 (38%) were found to be HP-negative. Of the 71 HP-positive patients, 47 (66%) had no other detectable causal factors, 21 (30%) were regularly taking nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and three (4%) had malignant GU. Of the 44 HP-negative patients, 29 (66%) were taking NSAIDs, two (5%) had a malignant GU, whereas 13/44 (30%) (11% of total 115) patients had no identifiable cause. These patients were classified as having "idiopathic GU." Some 38/115 (33%) GUs occurred on the lesser curve, and these were more often (p = 0.012) HP-positive (76%) than prepyloric GUs (60/115 (52%)). We conclude that although most patients have an identifiable cause of GU, around 11% will have no apparent contributing factor. HP-positive GUs are more frequently located on the lesser curve. It is now important to identify the cause of GU, because this may dictate choice of management.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Digestive Diseases, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Borody
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brandl
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jankiewicz
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ostapowicz
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D005773:Gastroscopy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal