Gastroesophageal reflux disease after Helicobacter pylori eradication in gastric ulcer patients: a one-year follow-up study.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the course of gastroesophageal reflux disease in gastric ulcer patients after successful Helicobacter pylori eradication (group A), in patients with persistent infection after attempt to eradicate Helicobacter pylori (group B), and in control group without Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment (group C).


METHODS
Gastric ulcer patients (n=88) were assigned either to the group receiving Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment (54 patients) or to the control group (34 patients; omeprazole treatment for 4 weeks) and were followed up for 1-year or until gastric ulcer relapsed. Gastroesophageal reflux disease was diagnosed in patients who had erosive esophagitis and/or without esophagitis if they experienced heartburn and/or regurgitation at least 2 times a week and it was associated with impairment of daily activities (Genval consensus).


RESULTS
The study was completed by 69 patients: 25 in group A, 19 in group B, and 25 in group C. At the beginning and at the end of the follow-up, gastroesophageal reflux disease was diagnosed in 10 (40%) and 9 (36%) group A patients, respectively (P>0.05); in 12 (63%) and 8 (42%) group B patients, respectively (P>0.05); and in 9 (36%) and 5 (20%) group C patients, respectively (P>0.05). At the beginning and at the end of the follow-up, reflux esophagitis was found in 3 (12%) and 5 (20%) group A patients, respectively (P>0.05); in 5 (26%) and 5 (26%) group B patients (P>0.05); in 4 (16%) and 3 (12%) group C patients (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
There was no statistically significant difference regarding the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease in gastric ulcer patients after Helicobacter pylori eradication, in the patients with persistent infection after attempt to eradicate, and in the control group without Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment.
Jonaitis
Laimas
L
Department of Gastroenterology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Eiveniu 2, 50009 Kaunas, Lithuania. laimasj@takas.lt
Kiudelis
Gediminas
G
Kupcinskas
Limas
L
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D009853:Omeprazole