The effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy on dyspepsia symptoms in industrial workers in Japan.
BACKGROUND
The relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and non-ulcer dyspepsia is still controversial. The potential benefits and risks of the treatment could depend on local conditions, such as the prevalence of the infection and the local rates of gastric cancer.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of H. pylori eradication therapy on non-ulcer dyspepsia symptoms in industrial workers in Japan.


METHODS
A total of 615 employees of an industrial corporation were examined for H. pylori infection and symptom scores; 215 H. pylori-positive non-ulcer dyspepsia cases underwent eradication therapy. Symptom scores were also analysed 12 months after the eradication therapy. Serum pepsinogen A and pepsinogen C levels were analysed and chronic atrophic gastritis was serologically diagnosed on the basis of the criteria of a pepsinogen A < 70 ng/mL and pepsinogen A : pepsinogen C ratio < 3.0.


RESULTS
The symptom score improved significantly in the cured cases, but not in the non-cured cases. The effect of the cure of H. pylori infection on symptoms was analysed according to the serological diagnosis of chronic atrophic gastritis. In both groups, cases with atrophic gastritis and cases with chronic gastritis only, the cure of infection was effective in improving symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The cure of H. pylori infection was effective in reducing non-ulcer dyspepsia symptoms in industrial workers in Japan.
Azuma
T
T
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Fukui Medical University, Fukui, Japan. azuma@fmsrsa.fukui-med.ac.jp
Ito
Y
Y
Suto
H
H
Ohtani
M
M
Dojo
M
M
Muramatsu
A
A
Kuriyama
M
M
Kato
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents