Prevention of the rehaemorrhage of bleeding peptic ulcers: effects of Helicobacter pylori eradication and acid suppression.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the consequences of Helicobacter pylori eradication and acid suppression on rehaemorrhage caused by bleeding peptic ulcers.


METHODS
A total of 320 patients who had been diagnosed with bleeding peptic ulcers between January 1994 and December 2001 were included in the study. Cases between 1994 and 1997, prior to the introduction of eradication therapy, were assigned to group A, whereas those between 1998 and 2001, after the eradication therapy, were assigned to group B.


RESULTS
Of the 320 cases, 162 were designated as group A (113 gastric ulcers and 49 duodenal ulcers) and 158 as group B (116 and 42, respectively). Rehaemorrhage occurred in 24 cases (15%) and five cases (3%) in groups A and B, respectively, presenting a significantly decreased rate of rehaemorrhage in group B. Among those without eradication, rehaemorrhage was observed in 15 of 128 cases (12%) that received treatment with histamine(2)-receptor antagonist (famotidine), and 14 of 142 cases (10%) treated with proton-pump inhibitors, with no significant difference between the two.


CONCLUSIONS
Helicobacter pylori eradication lowered the rates of rehaemorrhage. Treatment with histamine(2)-receptor antagonist or proton-pump inhibitors did not produce a difference in the rate of rehaemorrhage.
Kikkawa
A
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Nabeshima, Saga, Japan. kikkawa@post.saga-med.ac.jp
Iwakiri
R
R
Ootani
H
H
Ootani
A
A
Fujise
T
T
Sakata
Y
Y
Amemori
S
S
Tsunada
S
S
Sakata
H
H
Koyama
T
T
Fujimoto
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000863:Antacids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D016558:Hemostasis, Endoscopic; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010438:Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D055502:Secondary Prevention
D000863:Antacids; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors