Incidence and factors influencing on Helicobacter pylori infection recurrence.
OBJECTIVE
a) To determine the rate of H. pylori reinfection after successful eradication in a 4-year follow-up study; and b) To evaluate the contribution of different factors in the infection relapse.


METHODS
A total of 208 patients (age range 18-81 years; average 50 years; 87 women) who had been successfully treated for H. pylori infection were included. Annually, urea breath test was assessed to determine H. pylori status after eradication. Age, sex, rural/urban environment, smoking habit, treatment regimens against H. pylori and urea breath test values were evaluated.


RESULTS
reinfection occurred in 9,6% of patients observed, 6,7% (14/208) in the first year, 1,9% (4/208) in the second year, 1% (2/208) in the third and 0% in the forth. Risk factors for infection recurrence were younger age and higher values of urea breath test in the multivariante analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
annual reinfection rate was 2,4 pacients-year. Younger patients and higher values of urea breath test were factors associated with a higher rate of reinfection relapse. Annually, urea breath test should be performed to detect reinfection in order to avoid ulcer complications.
Gómez Rodríguez
B J
BJ
Service of Digestive Diseases, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, Spain. jmhg@us.es
Rojas Feria
M
M
García Montes
M J
MJ
Romero Castro
R
R
Hergueta Delgado
P
P
Pellicer Bautista
F J
FJ
Herrerías Gutiérrez
J M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents