Helicobacter pylori infection in congestive gastropathy.
BACKGROUND
This study determines the prevalence and significance of Helicobacter pylori infection in portal hypertensive patients.


METHODS
Patients numbered 118 and consisted of 90 patients with portal hypertension (66 men; 24 women; mean age, 49.1 +/- 2.1 years) and 28 noncirrhotic patients with nonulcer dyspepsia, (12 men; 16 women; mean age, 47.6 +/- 2.8 years), who made up the control group. In all patients, diagnostic upper endoscopy was performed, and gastric biopsies were taken for histological examination and diagnosis of H. pylori.


RESULTS
Of the portal hypertensive patients, 42 (47%) had congestive gastropathy, 11 (26%) of whom were positive for H. pylori, and 48 (53%) did not have gastropathy, 12 (25%) of whom were positive for H. pylori. In the control group, 15 of 28 (54%) were positive for H. pylori. H. Pylori was found less frequently in congestive gastropathy patients than in the control group. We found also that the presence and severity of congestive gastropathy is independent of H. pylori status.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the role of H. pylori in the pathogenesis of congestive gastropathy is unlikely, and we suggest that there is no need for its routine eradication in cirrhotic patients.
Bahnacy
A
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Semmelweis Medical University, Budapest, Hungary.
Kupcsulik
P
P
Elés
Z
Z
Jàray
B
B
Flautner
L
L
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000382:microbiology; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005756:Gastritis / Q000382:microbiology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000382:microbiology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014774:Virulence