Role of Helicobacter pylori in functional dyspepsia.
The aetiology of dyspepsia is unknown in the majority of patients. Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is the cause in a subset of patients. A non invasive test to assess the presence of H pylori is recommended in the management of patients under the age of 50 presenting to a family practitioner with dyspepsia. A urea breath test or a stool antigen test are the most reliable non invasive tests. Eradication of H pylori will reduce the risk to the patient with dyspepsia of developing a peptic ulcer, reduce the complication rate if prescribed non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and later reduce the risk of gastric cancer. The recommended treatment for non ulcer dyspepsia associated with a H pylori infection should be a 10-d course of treatment with a PPI and two antibiotics. Treatment efficacy should be assessed four weeks after completing treatment with a urea breath test or a stool antigen test.
O'Morain
Colm
C
Trinity College Dublin, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland. gastroenterology@amnch.ie
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001944:Breath Tests; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D004724:Endoscopy; D005243:Feces; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D013997:Time Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D008795:Metronidazole; D017291:Clarithromycin