Helicobacter pylori-positive duodenal ulcer: a long-term double-blind randomized study in patients healed with H2-receptor antagonists.
BACKGROUND
The NIH Consensus Conference in 1994 (1) concluded that all patients with peptic ulcer disease should be tested and treated for Helicobacter pylori and that further evaluation was needed for patients in remission.


METHODS
We evaluated in a double blind randomization 30 patients whose duodenal ulcers had been healed with H2-receptor antagonists and who remained in remission on maintenance therapy. After ulcer healing and the presence of H. pylori had been confirmed, these patients were randomized to receive eradication therapy or placebo and were followed for a mean period of 23 months.


RESULTS
Almost all patients receiving placebo had ulcer recurrence, whereas the patients treated with antibiotics demonstrate a low recurrence rate.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest, for the first time to our knowledge, the importance of treating with antibiotics duodenal ulcer patients whose disease is in remission.
Suriani
R
R
Servizio di Endoscopia e di Microbiologia Ospedale di Rivoli, Torino, Italy.
Ravizza
M
M
Pallante
C
C
Mazzucco
D
D
Cardesi
E
E
Colozza
M
M
Malandrino
M
M
Oneglio
R
R
Orso Giacone
G
G
Dusio
P
P
Vajo
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000863:Antacids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction
D000863:Antacids; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008795:Metronidazole; D011899:Ranitidine; C002791:bismuth tripotassium dicitrate; D004318:Doxycycline