title: Gastritis, dyspepsia and peptic ulcer disease.
abstract: Peptic ulcer disease remains a common problem and it most frequently due to the presence of an Helicobacter pylori infection or use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Dyspepsia is neither sensitive or specific for diagnosing peptic ulcer disease. The approach to patients with dyspepsia is to arrive at a definitive diagnosis without unnecessary exposure to invasive or costly diagnostic procedures. Non-invasive testing is preferred with endoscopy being reserved for those with alarm markers or above a specified age (e.g., 55 years in Western countries). Patients negative for H. pylori infection should receive an empiric trial of acid suppression for 4 to 8 weeks and if beneficial it can be continued.
authors.affiliation: Medival Clinic Institute, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy. mpdore@uniss.it
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Dore
authors.forename: D Y
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005756:Gastritis / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy