title: Eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori in general practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify patients with a past history of peptic ulcer and to treat Helicobacter pylori infection if confirmed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patient records from 6.5 full-time equivalent general practitioners were reviewed to record prescribing of H2-receptor antagonists in the last year and to review previous upper gastrointestinal investigations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and sixty-seven patients had used H2-receptor antagonists in the previous year. The indications for use were peptic ulcer 25%, reflux 21%, empiric treatment for dyspepsia 39% and dyspepsia with a normal investigation 15%. Short-term prescribing was common (52% of patients treated for 1-2 months only) and of these patients 50% had undiagnosed dyspepsia. The most common indication for long-term prescribing (6 months or more) was peptic ulcer (46%). The records of 96 patients with peptic ulcer were identified; 50 were traced and considered for recall and a 13C urea breath test for Helicobacter pylori. Thirty-eight patients agreed to a breath test; 23 were positive (60.5%). Follow up breath test was negative following eradication treatment in 16 of 22 treated patients (73%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with peptic ulcer disease can be recalled using general practice case notes and treated with antibiotic treatment. The majority of H2-receptor antagonist use is for indications other than peptic ulcer disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Auckland.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arroll
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001944:Breath Tests; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D005194:Family Practice; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists