[The effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on chronic use of acid-suppressant medication by patients in general practice; a randomised, double-blind study].
OBJECTIVE
To study the feasibility of tapering long-term acid-suppressant drugs (ASD) use in chronic dyspeptic patients in relation to Helicobacter pylori eradication.


METHODS
Prospective randomised double-blind study.


METHODS
Patients from 54 general-practitioner practices in the Amsterdam area were studied in the period 1 April 1997 - 30 September 1999 after selection on the basis of their use of acid suppressants for a period of at least 8 weeks. After gastroscopy the patients with a peptic ulcer (PUD) and H. pylori were treated with eradication therapy and patients without an ulcer but with H. pylori were randomised for eradication or placebo treatment. After a gradual reduction of acid suppressants over a 3-week period following the intervention, the patients kept a diary for 24 weeks of the quantities of acid suppressants and antacids they used.


RESULTS
Of the 1083 patients approached, 434 were prepared to undergo the gastroscopy. Data for the follow-up period were available for 186 of the 227 H. pylori-positive patients. Of them 61% stopped ASD use during follow-up. The mean daily ASD dosage per patient decreased by 85% from 1.85 to 0.27 units (p < 0.05), with minimal antacids use. Of the 75 patients with peptic-ulcer disease 86% stopped ASD use. In patients with functional dyspepsia no difference in ASD use was observed after successful H. pylori eradication or placebo. Patients with mild reflux disease (GERD) used more ASD after H. pylori eradication than after placebo (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION. After H. pylori eradication many patients with PUD stopped ADS use, while GERD patients used more ASD than after placebo. A gradual withdrawal of long-term ASD use, supported by antacids and on-demand use of low-dosage ASD, facilitated reduction of ASD use during 6 months.
Hurenkamp
G J B
GJ
Academisch Medisch Centrum/Universiteit van Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 11 05 AZ, Amsterdam. g.j.hurenkamp@amc.uva.nl
Grundmeijer
H G L M
HG
van der Ende
A
A
Tytgat
G N J
GN
Assendelft
W J J
WJ
van der Hulst
R W M
RW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000863:Antacids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D005773:Gastroscopy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000863:Antacids; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents