title: Helicobacter pylori and gastric ulcer therapy: reflections and uncertainties.
abstract: The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (HP) and gastric ulcer therapy is examined by analyzing both the data that suggest that eradication of HP renders the gastric mucosa less susceptible to development of gastric ulcer as well as the substantial body of evidence that does not support this contention. The results reported in clinical trials with colloidal bismuth citrate, antimicrobial agents (furazolidone), and combinations of anti-ulcer and antimicrobial agents (H2-antagonist+cefixime, H2-antagonist+metronidazole) are reviewed. Also analyzed is the relationship between HP eradication and ulcer recurrence. Only one study is available on this aspect, and the limited evidence it provides in favour of a prophylactic effect of eradication therapy is not entirely convincing. The authors conclude that there is no reasonable case for the dogmatic assumption that eradication of HP facilitates either acute healing or long-term prophylaxis of gastric ulcer, though certain subgroups of gastric ulcer patients may benefit from eradication therapy.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Gastroenterologia, Ospedale Generale Regionale, Bolzano, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dobrilla
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Piazzi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amplatz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benvenuti
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Fede
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020682:Cefixime; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005664:Furazolidone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005756:Gastritis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008795:Metronidazole; D005664:Furazolidone; D002927:Cimetidine; D020682:Cefixime; C002791:bismuth tripotassium dicitrate; D002439:Cefotaxime