title: Role of Helicobacter pylori infection in gastroduodenal damage in patients starting NSAID therapy: 4 Months follow-up study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to determine differences in gastroduodenal damage related to the presence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in patients starting long-term NSAID therapy. Seventy-one candidates for chronic NSAIDs therapy (33 Hp negative and 38 Hp positive) entered the study and underwent upper GI endoscopy before, and 8 and 16 weeks after, continuous NSAID therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lanza score increased in both Hp positive and negative patients in the course of NSAID therapy (P < 0.001), being significantly higher in Hp positive than Hp negative (4.31 ± 1.33 vs 3.15 ± 1.95, P < 0.05) after 16 weeks of follow-up. In gastric mucosa, no significant difference in mean Lanza score was observed between the two groups. Duodenal ulcer was diagnosed in 18 (36.8%) Hp positive and 1 (3%) Hp negative patient (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hp is more closely related to duodenal than gastric mucosal injury in NSAID users. Risk for duodenal ulcer in Hp-infected individual increases after 4 months of NSAID therapy.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute for Digestive Diseases, Clinical Center of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Koste Todorovica 6, 11 000, Belgrade, Serbia. asokicmilutinovic@gmail.com
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sokic-Milutinovic
authors.forename: Miodrag
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krstic
authors.forename: Brigita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rozer-Smolovic
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Alempijevic
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001706:Biopsy; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005756:Gastritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal