title: Helicobacter pylori eradication as the sole treatment for gastric and duodenal ulcers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is uncertain whether eradication of Helicobacter pylori--without a prolonged suppression of acid secretion--is sufficient to allow healing of peptic ulcers. We evaluated whether eradication of H. pylori with no following anti-secretory medication then administered is sufficient for treatment of peptic ulcers. We also looked at the impact of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) use on ulcer relapses.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of eradication on ulcer healing and relapse rate was analysed in 115 patients, randomly allocated to four treatment groups: (1) quadruple therapy (28); (2) dual therapy (n-30); (3) triple therapy (n=27); and (4) lansoprazole and placebo (n=30). Endoscopic assessment was performed at 0, 8, and 52 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ulcer healing rate was 100% [95% confidence interval (CI), 95-100%] in H. pylori-negative and 83% (95% CI, 67-94%) in H. pylori-positive patients (P<0.01). In patients who used NSAIDS or ASA, the healing rates was 100% (95% CI, 73-100%) and 75% (95% CI, 19-99%) in H. pylori-negative (12 patients) and H. pylori-positive patients (four patients) (P = not significant). Ulcer relapses occurred in 5% (95% CI, 1-13%) of H. pylori-negative and in 36% (95% CI, 19-56%) of H. pylori-positive patients (P < 0.01). In H. pylori-negative patients who used NSAIDs or ASA the ulcer relapse rate was 30% (95% CI, 7-65%), whereas the ulcer relapse rate was 2% (95% CI, 0.4-10%) in patients who did not use NSAIDs or ASA (P < 0.05). No difference in ulcer relapse rate in H. pylori-positive patients who used or did not use NSAIDs or ASA was found. The eradication rate of H. pylori was 93% (95% CI, 76-99%) in the quadruple therapy group, 83% (95% CI, 64-94%) in the dual therapy group, 100% (95% CI, 87-100%) in the triple therapy group, and 0% (95% CI, 0-12%) in the lansoprazole and placebo group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Eradication treatment for H. pylori-positive gastric or duodenal ulcer is sufficient, with no need to follow it with anti-secretory medication. Cure of the infection reduces ulcer relapses in patients who did not use NSAIDs or ASA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland. perttu.arkkila@hus.fi
authors.forename: Perttu Et
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Arkkila
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Seppälä
authors.forename: Timo U
authors.initials: TU
authors.lastname: Kosunen
authors.forename: Pentti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sipponen
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mäkinen
authors.forename: Hilpi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rautelin
authors.forename: Martti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Färkkilä
mesh_terms: D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D064747:Lansoprazole; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D012008:Recurrence; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D064747:Lansoprazole; D009853:Omeprazole; D001241:Aspirin