The long-term effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy on symptoms in dyspeptic patients with fundic atrophic gastritis

Do atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia reverse after Helicobacter pylori eradication?

BACKGROUND

It's still controversial whether Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication can reverse atrophic gastritis (AG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM). Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to estimate the effect of H. pylori eradication on AG and IM.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE datasets through April 2023 for epidemiological studies, which provided mean glandular atrophy (GA) or IM score before and after H. pylori eradication, or provided ORs, RRs or HRs and 95% CIs for the association of AG or IM with H. pylori eradication. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and pooled ORs and 95%CIs were used to estimate the effect of H. pylori eradication on AG and IM.

RESULTS

Twenty articles with a total of 5242 participants were included in this meta-analysis. H. pylori eradication significantly decreased GA score in the antrum (WMD -0.36; 95% CI: -0.52, -0.19, p < 0.01), GA score in the corpus (WMD -0.35; 95% CI: -0.52, -0.19, p < 0.01), IM score in the antrum (WMD -0.16; 95% CI: -0.26, -0.07, p < 0.01) and IM score in the corpus (WMD -0.20; 95% CI: -0.37, -0.04, p = 0.01). H. pylori eradication significantly improved AG (pooled OR 2.96; 95% CI: 1.70, 5.14, p < 0.01) and IM (pooled OR 2.41; 95% CI: 1.24, 4.70, p < 0.01). The association remained significant in the subgroup analyses by study design, sites of lesions, regions and follow-up time. Although Publication bias was observed for AG, the association remained significant after trim-and-fill adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

H. pylori eradication could significantly improve AG and IM at early stage.

Paradoxical association between dyspepsia and autoimmune chronic atrophic gastritis: Insights into mechanisms, pathophysiology, and treatment options

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune gastritis (AIG) is a progressive, chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease characterized by the destruction of gastric parietal cells leading to hypo/anacidity and loss of intrinsic factor. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as dyspepsia and early satiety are very common, being second in terms of frequency only to anemia, which is the most typical feature of AIG.

AIM

To address both well-established and more innovative information and knowledge about this challenging disorder.

METHODS

An extensive bibliographical search was performed in PubMed to identify guidelines and primary literature (retrospective and prospective studies, systematic reviews, case series) published in the last 10 years.

RESULTS

A total of 125 records were reviewed and 80 were defined as fulfilling the criteria.

CONCLUSION

AIG can cause a range of clinical manifestations, including dyspepsia. The pathophysiology of dyspepsia in AIG is complex and involves changes in acid secretion, gastric motility, hormone signaling, and gut microbiota, among other factors. Managing dyspeptic symptoms of AIG is challenging and there are no specific therapies targeting dyspepsia in AIG. While proton pump inhibitors are commonly used to treat dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux disease, they may not be appropriate for AIG. Prokinetic agents, antidepressant drugs, and non-pharmacological treatments may be of help, even if not adequately evidence-based supported. A multidisciplinary approach for the management of dyspepsia in AIG is recommended, and further research is needed to develop and validate more effective therapies for dyspepsia.

Clinical Practice Guideline for Gastritis in Korea

Gastritis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the gastric mucosa. It is very common and has various classification systems such as the updated Sydney system. As there is a lot of evidence that Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with the development of gastric cancer and that gastric cancer can be prevented by eradication, H. pylori gastritis has been emphasized recently. The incidence rate of gastric cancer in Korea is the highest in the world, and due to the spread of screening endoscopy, atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia are commonly diagnosed in the general population. However, there have been no clinical guidelines developed in Korea for these lesions. Therefore, this clinical guideline has been developed by the Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research for important topics that are frequently encountered in clinical situations related to gastritis. Evidence-based guidelines were developed through systematic review and de novo processes, and eight recommendations were made for eight key questions. This guideline needs to be periodically revised according to the needs of clinical practice or as important evidence about this issue is published in the future.

Current Perspectives in Atrophic Gastritis

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

Atrophic gastritis is a complex syndrome with gastric atrophy as a common trait. Helicobacter pylori infection and autoimmunity are the two main contexts in which it develops. It is slightly symptomatic, affects various aspects of general health, and remains a predisposing factor for gastric cancer. This review will update current knowledge and progress on atrophic gastritis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Atrophic gastritis affects mostly adults with persistent dyspepsia, deficient anemia, autoimmunity disease, long-term proton pump inhibitor use, and a family history of gastric cancer. Gastric biopsies, expressed as Sydney system grade and OLGA/OLGIM classifications, represent the gold standard for diagnosis and cancer risk stage, respectively. Recently, electronic chromoendoscopy has allowed "targeted biopsies" of intestinal metaplasia. The associated hypochlorhydria affects the gastric microbiota composition suggesting that non-Helicobacter pylori microbiota may participate in the development of gastric cancer. Physicians should be aware of multifaceted clinical presentation of atrophic gastritis. It should be endoscopically monitored by targeted gastric biopsies. Autoimmune and Helicobacter pylori-induced atrophic gastritis are associated with different gastric microbial profiles playing different roles in gastric tumorigenesis.

A current clinical overview of atrophic gastritis

Introduction: Atrophic gastritis (AG) is a complex syndrome which arises as a consequence of H. pylori infection or in the context of gastric autoimmunity. It often deserves a benign course but may lead to potentially life-threatening complications: cancer and anemia. This review aims to address traditional and innovative knowledge on this often under-diagnosed disorder.Areas covered: This review covers clinical presentation, risk factors, diagnosis, and management of AG and provides an updated resource for clinicians to get insight into this challenging disorder. Updated literature was searched in PubMed. Manual search from reference lists of publications was performed.Expert opinion: A case-finding strategy may be beneficial in individuals with anemia, dyspepsia, autoimmune thyropaties and type 1 diabetes, and family history of gastric cancer. AG is linked to gastric cancer risk and endoscopic surveillance is indicated according to topography of gastric atrophy and risk factors. The direction for future research in AG is summarized.

Chronic atrophic gastritis: Natural history, diagnosis and therapeutic management. A position paper by the Italian Society of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Digestive Endoscopists [AIGO], the Italian Society of Digestive Endoscopy [SIED], the Italian Society of Gastroenterology [SIGE], and the Italian Society of Internal Medicine [SIMI]

Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is an underdiagnosed condition characterised by translational features going beyond the strict field of gastroenterology as it may manifest itself by a variable spectrum of gastric and extra-gastric symptoms and signs. It is relatively common among older adults in different parts of the world, but large variations exist. Helicobacter pylori-related CAG [multifocal] and autoimmune CAG (corpus-restricted) are apparently two different diseases, but they display overlapping features. Patients with cobalamin and/or iron deficiency anaemia or autoimmune disorders, including autoimmune thyroiditis and type 1 diabetes mellitus, should be offered screening for CAG. Pepsinogens, gastrin-17, and anti-H. pylori antibodies serum assays seem to be reliable non-invasive screening tools for the presence of CAG, helpful to identify individuals to refer to gastroscopy with five standard gastric biopsies in order to obtain histological confirmation of diagnosis. Patients with CAG are at increased risk of developing gastric cancer, and they should be estimated with histological staging systems (OLGA or OLGIM). H. pylori eradication may be beneficial by modifying the natural history of atrophy, but not that of intestinal metaplasia. Patients with advanced stages of CAG (Stage III/IV OLGA or OLGIM) should undergo endoscopic surveillance every three years, those with autoimmune CAG every three-five years. In patients with CAG, a screening for autoimmune thyroid disease and micronutrient deficiencies, including iron and vitamin B₁₂, should be performed. The optimal treatment for dyspeptic symptoms in patients with CAG remains to be defined. Proton pump inhibitors are not indicated in hypochlorhydric CAG patients.

Helicobacter pylori Vacuolating Cytotoxin A Causes Anorexia and Anxiety via Hypothalamic Urocortin 1 in Mice

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is related to the pathogenesis of chronic gastric disorders and extragastric diseases. Here, we examined the anorexigenic and anxiogenic effects of Hp vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA) through activation of hypothalamic urocortin1 (Ucn1). VacA was detected in the hypothalamus after peripheral administration and increased Ucn1 mRNA expression and c-Fos-positive cells in the hypothalamus but not in the nucleus tractus solitarius. c-Fos and Ucn1-double positive cells were detected. CRF1 and CRF2 receptor antagonists suppressed VacA-induced anxiety and anorexia, respectively. VacA activated single paraventricular nucleus neurons and A7r5 cells; this activation was inhibited by phospholipase C (PLC) and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors. VacA causes anorexia and anxiety through the intracellular PLC-PKC pathway, migrates across the blood-brain barrier, and activates the Ucn1-CRF receptor axis.

Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in atrophic gastritis

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is a major human pathogen causing chronic, progressive gastric mucosal damage and is linked to gastric atrophy and cancer. Hp-positive individuals constitute the major reservoir for transmission of infection. There is no ideal treatment for Hp. Hp infection is not cured by a single antibiotic, and sometimes, a combined treatment with three or more antibiotics is ineffective. Atrophic gastritis (AG) is a chronic disease whose main features are atrophy and/or intestinal metaplasia of the gastric glands, which arise from long-standing Hp infection. AG is reportedly linked to an increased risk for gastric cancer, particularly when extensive intestinal metaplasia is present. Active or past Hp infection may be detected by conventional methods in about two-thirds of AG patients. By immunoblotting of sera against Hp whole-cell protein lysates, a previous exposure to Hp infection is detected in all AG patients. According to guidelines, AG patients with Hp positivity should receive eradication treatment. The goals of treatment are as follows: (1) Cure of infection, resolution of inflammation and normalization of gastric functions; (2) possible reversal of atrophic and metaplastic changes of the gastric mucosa; and (3) prevention of gastric cancer. An ideal antibiotic regimen for Hp should achieve eradication rates of approximately 90%, and complex multidrug regimens are required to reach this goal. Amongst the factors associated with treatment failure are high bacterial load, high gastric acidity, Hp strain, smoking, low compliance, overweight, and increasing antibiotic resistance. AG, when involving the corporal mucosa, is linked to reduced gastric acid secretion. At a non-acidic intra-gastric pH, the efficacy of the common treatment regimens combining proton pump inhibitors with one or more antibiotics may not be the same as that observed in patients with Hp gastritis in an acid-producing stomach. Although the efficacy of these therapeutic regimens has been thoroughly tested in subjects with Hp infection, there is a paucity of evidence in the subgroup of patients with AG. Bismuth-based therapy may be an attractive treatment in the specific setting of AG, and specific studies on the efficacy of bismuth-based therapies are needed in patients with AG.

Helicobacter pylori infection status had no influence on upper gastrointestinal symptoms: a cross-sectional analysis of 3,005 Japanese subjects without upper gastrointestinal lesions undergoing medical health checkups

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of Helicobacter pylori infection and its eradication on the upper gastrointestinal symptoms of relatively healthy Japanese subjects.

METHODS

A total of 3,005 subjects (male/female: 1,549/1,456) undergoing medical health checkups were enrolled in the present study, at five hospitals in Saga, Japan, from January to December 2013. They had no significant findings following upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. All subjects completed a questionnaire that addressed a frequency scale for symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The questionnaire comprised seven questions regarding reflux symptoms and seven regarding acid-related dyspepsia, which were answered with a score based on the frequency of symptoms. Helicobacter pylori infection was identified by a rapid urease test and/or H. pylori antibody titer, and an eradication history was confirmed by the subjects' medical records.

RESULTS

Helicobacter pylori infection was positive in 894 subjects out of 3,005 (29.8%). Eradication of Helicobacter pylori was successfully achieved in 440 subjects of 458 treated. Helicobacter pylori infection had no influence on the acid-related dyspepsia evaluated by the questionnaire, whereas the mean reflux score was relatively high in the Helicobacter pylori native negative subjects compared to Helicobacter pylori native positive. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori and time span after the eradication had no effect on the upper gastrointestinal symptoms evaluated by the questionnaire.

CONCLUSION

Helicobacter pylori infection and history of eradication did not affect acid-related dyspepsia symptoms in Japanese healthy subjects.

Helicobacter pylori eradication cannot reduce the risk of gastric cancer in patients with intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia: evidence from a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The effect of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication on gastric cancer (GC) prevention is controversial. Intestinal metaplasia (IM) seems to be a "point of no return" in the precancerous cascade. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to illustrate this issue.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library were searched for relevant RCTs that were published in any language up to March 2014. By dividing participants into subgroups based on their baseline diagnoses as group <IM (normal, non-atrophic gastritis, atrophic gastritis) and group ≥ IM(intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia), the relative risk (RR) of GC in each study compared treatment group with control group were pooled using Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effect model and publication bias analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Ten studies from eight RCTs were included in this analysis, for a total of 7,955 participants. H. pylori treatment compared with control significantly reduced the risk of GC, with a pooled RR of 0.64 (95% CI, 0.48-0.85). Subgroup analysis for patients with non-atrophic gastritis, atrophic gastritis (<IM) yielded a similar results (RR = 0.25, 95% CI, 0.08-0.81). But this difference was not observed in patients with intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia (≥ IM) (RR = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.59-1.31).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggested that patients with Intestinal metaplasia or dysplasia could not benefit from the H. pylori treatment on the risk of GC.

Review of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia as a premalignant lesion of gastric cancer

Atrophic gastritis (AG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM) are the main precursor lesions of gastric cancer as the incidence of gastric cancer increases in the gastric mucosa involved with AG and IM. The prevalence of AG and IM vary depending on countries, even it represents diverse results in the same nation. Usually AG is antecedent of IM but the etiologies of AG and IM are not always the same. The sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic methods to detect AG and IM are different. Furthermore, the management strategy of AG and IM has not been established, yet. Helicobacter pylori infection has been proved as the most important cause of AG and IM. Thus the eradication of H. pylori is very important to prevent the progression to gastric cancer which is still placed in the high rank in morbidity and mortality among cancers. However, the reversibility of AG and IM by eradication of H. pylori which was assumed to be certain by meta-analysis is; however, controversial now. Therefore, the understanding and early diagnosis of AG and IM are very important, especially, in high incidence area of gastric cancer such as Republic of Korea.

Histological changes of gastric mucosa after Helicobacter pylori eradication: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

To systematically review pathological changes of gastric mucosa in gastric atrophy (GA) and intestinal metaplasia (IM) after Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication.

METHODS

A systematic search was made of PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, OVID and the Cochran Library databases for articles published before March 2013 pertaining to H. pylori and gastric premalignant lesions. Relevant outcomes from articles included in the meta-analysis were combined using Review Manager 5.2 software. A Begg's test was applied to test for publication bias using STATA 11 software. χ(2) and I(2) analyses were used to assess heterogeneity. Analysis of data with no heterogeneity (P > 0.1, I (2) < 25%) was carried out with a fixed effects model, otherwise the causes of heterogeneity were first analyzed and then a random effects model was applied.

RESULTS

The results of the meta-analysis showed that the pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95%CI was 0.23 (0.18-0.29) between eradication and non-eradication of H. pylori infection in antral IM with a significant overall effect (Z = 8.19; P <0.00001) and no significant heterogeneity (χ(2) = 27.54, I(2) = 16%). The pooled WMD with 95%CI was -0.01 (-0.04-0.02) for IM in the corpus with no overall effect (Z = 0.66) or heterogeneity (χ(2) = 14.87, I(2) =0%) (fixed effects model). In antral GA, the pooled WMD with 95% CI was 0.25 (0.15-0.35) with a significant overall effect (Z = 4.78; P < 0.00001) and significant heterogeneity (χ(2) = 86.12, I(2) = 71%; P < 0.00001). The pooled WMD with 95% CI for GA of the corpus was 0.14 (0.04-0.24) with a significant overall effect (Z = 2.67; P = 0.008) and significant heterogeneity (χ(2) = 44.79, I(2) = 62%; P = 0.0003) (random effects model).

CONCLUSION

H. pylori eradication strongly correlates with improvement in IM in the antrum and GA in the corpus and antrum of the stomach.

Helicobacter pylori eradication in the prevention of gastric cancer: are more trials needed?

The incidence of gastric cancer has decreased in much of the world, but gastric cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death globally, and the burden is growing in many countries in East Asia and Latin America. Chronic infection with Helicobacter pylori is the dominant cause of gastric cancer, and two recent randomized trials showed that H. pylori eradication significantly decreased gastric cancer risk. Population screening and treating individuals for H. pylori also appears to be cost-effective. Nevertheless, current clinical guidelines differ as to whether asymptomatic adults should be screened and treated for H. pylori, and no countries have yet implemented eradication programs. Some of this inaction may reflect lingering doubts about the effectiveness of H. pylori eradication in preventing gastric cancer, but there is also uncertainty about possible risks of mass antibiotic treatment and its impact on gut flora. Appropriately designed studies will help address these issues and hasten the implementation of population-wide prevention programs.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication according to the IL-8-251 polymorphism in Koreans

Previous studies suggested that polymorphisms of proinflammatory cytokine genes are important host genetic factors in Helicobacter pylori infection. The present study evaluated whether IL-8-251 polymorphism affected H. pylori eradication rate and to investigate the effect of H. pylori eradication on angiogenesis and the inflammatory process according to the IL-8-251 polymorphism. A total of 250 H. pylori-positive patients treated by endoscopic resection of the gastric neoplasm were classified into 3 groups (134 H. pylori-eradicated group, 19 H. pylori-eradication failure group, and 97 H. pylori-infected group). H. pylori status, histology, and angiogenic factor levels were evaluated at baseline, 6 months, and 18 months. H. pylori eradication rate was 92.9% in AA genotype, 85.7% in AT genotype and 88.4% in TT genotype (P value = 0.731). Elevated IL-8 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 concentrations in H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa were reversible by successful eradication of H. pylori, independent of the IL-8-251 polymorphism. It is suggested that elevated IL-8 and MMP-9 concentrations in H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa are altered significantly after successful eradication and these conditions continue for 18 months. However, IL-8-251 polymorphism does not affect H. pylori eradication rate and the sequential changes of related angiogenic factors after H. pylori eradication in Koreans.

Quality of RCTs exploring Helicobacter pylori eradication for the prevention of gastric cancer and preneoplastic lesions

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the gold standard for evaluating the efficacy of clinical interventions and developing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines; however, they can yield biased results when their methodology is less than rigorous, or their published reports fail to report key items. A number of RCTs have been carried out to explore the relationship between Helicobacter pylori eradication and gastric cancer, but their results remain controversial. In this article, we will comprehensively review searched medical electronic databases, and appraise the reporting and methodological quality of these relevant RCTs according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials 2010 statement and the Cochrane Handbook in order to learn about the internal and external validity of these RCTs.

Therapeutic effects of famotidine on chronic symptomatic gastritis: subgroup analysis from FUTURE study

BACKGROUND

A therapeutic strategy for symptomatic patients with chronic gastritis has not been established. Gastric acid has been reported to induce a variety of unpleasant abdominal symptoms. We investigated whether the histamine H2 receptor antagonist famotidine attenuated upper abdominal symptoms in patients with chronic gastritis.

METHODS

In this multicenter prospective single-arm open-label study, 10,311 patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic symptomatic gastritis were enrolled and each patient was administered famotidine at 20 mg/day for 4 weeks. The intensity levels of upper abdominal symptoms, epigastralgia, epigastric fullness, and heartburn were evaluated using a face scale (grade 0-4). Abdominal symptom-related quality of life (QOL) impairment was also evaluated, using an Izumo scale before and after famotidine administration. In a subgroup analysis, symptomatic responses in patients diagnosed with functional dyspepsia (FD) according to the Rome III criteria were analyzed.

RESULTS

In 8,460 patients who completed the protocol, famotidine administration significantly attenuated epigastralgia, epigastric fullness, and heartburn, and famotidine also attenuated abdominal symptom-related QOL impairment in all patients with chronic symptomatic gastritis, in those with FD-like symptoms without organic disease, and in those with FD as defined by the Rome III criteria.

CONCLUSION

Famotidine is effective to relieve abdominal symptoms and improve QOL, not only in patients with Rome III-defined FD, but also in those with chronic symptomatic gastritis.

Predictive factors for improvement of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia after Helicobacter pylori eradication: a three-year follow-up study in Korea

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

To date, data on the effects of anti-Helicobacter therapy on the improvement of atrophic gastritis (AG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM) have been conflicting. This study was performed to investigate whether eradication of H. pylori could lead to the improvement of AG and IM, and the prognostic factors associated with the improvement of AG and IM.

METHODS

Four hundred patients consisting of H. pylori-negative (n = 116) and H. pylori-positive (n = 284) groups were followed up 1 and 3 years after initial H. pylori tests. Serum levels of pepsinogen (PG), bacteria, environmental factors, and genetic polymorphisms were determined.

RESULTS

The grade of corpus atrophy decreased at 1 and 3 years after successful eradication (p < .001 and p = .033, respectively). However, there was no significant change in the IM in the antrum and in the corpus. Prediction factors for the improvement of corpus AG by H. pylori eradication were baseline low PG I/II ratio (≤3), high salt intake, and corpus-predominant gastritis. IM improvement was also associated with spicy food intake and high baseline grade of IM, in addition to these factors. In addition, IL-1B-511 C/T and IL-6-572 C/G alleles were found to inhibit IM improvement. However, H. pylori-negative and noneradicated group did not show any significant change in AG or IM.

CONCLUSION

Corpus AG was reversed by H. pylori eradication, and improvement of IM by H. pylori eradiation was more definite in patients with severe IM, low PG I/II ratio, and corpus-predominant gastritis, suggesting that H. pylori eradication is valuable even in severe cases.

Epidemiology of uninvestigated and functional dyspepsia in Asia: facts and fiction

Dyspepsia is a syndrome consisting of epigastric pain, burning, fullness, discomfort, early satiety, nausea, vomiting and belching. Functional dyspepsia (FD) is diagnosed if upper gastrointestinal endoscopy does not show structural abnormality explaining these symptoms. 8%-30% and 8%-23% of Asian people suffer from of uninvestigated dyspepsia and FD, respectively. Most patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia are found to have FD. Patients with FD are usually young and there is no predilection to any gender. Overlap of FD with other functional bowel diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease is common in Asia. Cultural difference in reporting of symptoms of dyspepsia is well-known. Moreover, dietary factors, socio-cultural and psychological issues, gastrointestinal infection including that caused by Helicobacter pylori, frequency of organic diseases such as peptic ulcer and gastric cancer responsible for dyspeptic symptoms in the study population may also influence epidemiology of dyspepsia. There is considerable heterogeneity in the above issues among different Asian countries. More studies on epidemiology of FD are needed in Asia.

Randomised clinical trial: Helicobacter pylori eradication is associated with a significantly increased body mass index in a placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND

Body mass index (BMI) increased following Helicobacter pylori eradication in several Japanese cohorts, which requires further investigation.

AIM

To determine the impact of H. pylori eradication on BMI in a European population.

METHODS

A total of 10,537 unselected people aged 20-59 years were screened for H. pylori; 1558 of the 1634 infected participants were randomised to intervention (eradication therapy: ranitidine bismuth citrate 400 mg and clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily) or placebo for 2 weeks with follow-up at 6 months (92%) for weight and dyspepsia symptoms (epigastric pain).

RESULTS

The mean weight of participants in the intervention group increased from 77.7 kg at baseline to 78.4 kg at 6 months (unadjusted increase of 0.7 kg) and from 76.8 to 77.2 kg (0.5 kg) in the placebo group. The adjusted difference between randomised groups was statistically significant at 0.6 kg [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31, 0.88]. Significantly, more participants gained ≥3 kg in the intervention group (138/720, 19%) compared with the placebo group (92/706, 13%) [odds ratio (OR) 1.57 (95% CI: 1.17, 2.12)]. The mean BMI increased from 27.5 to 27.8 kg/m(2) at 6 months in the intervention group compared with the increase from 27.0 to 27.2 kg/m(2) in the placebo group [adjusted difference between groups was statistically significant at 0.2 kg/m(2) (95% CI: 0.11, 0.31)]. Dyspepsia was less frequently reported by intervention group participants (168/736, 23%, placebo group 209/711, 29%), OR 0.71 (95% CI: 0.55, 0.93).

CONCLUSION

Body mass index increased significantly following randomisation to H. pylori eradication therapy, possibly due to resolution of dyspepsia.

WITHDRAWN: Eradication of Helicobacter pylori for non-ulcer dyspepsia

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is the main cause of peptic ulcer disease. The role of H pylori in non-ulcer dyspepsia is less clear.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effect of H pylori eradication on dyspepsia symptoms in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Trials were identified through electronic searches of the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and SIGLE, using appropriate subject headings and keywords, searching bibliographies of retrieved articles, and through contacts with experts in the fields of dyspepsia and with pharmaceutical companies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All parallel group randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing drugs to eradicate H pylori with placebo or other drugs known not to eradicate H pylori for patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were collected on individual and global dyspeptic symptom scores, quality of life measures and adverse effects. Dyspepsia outcomes were dichotomised into minimal/resolved versus same/worse symptoms.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty one randomised controlled trials were included in the systematic review. Eighteen trials compared antisecretory dual or triple therapy with placebo antibiotics +/- antisecretory therapy, and evaluated dyspepsia at 3-12 months. Seventeen of these trials gave results as dichotomous outcomes evaluating 3566 patients and there was no significant heterogeneity between the studies. There was a 10% relative risk reduction in the H pylori eradication group (95% CI = 6% to 14%) compared to placebo. The number needed to treat to cure one case of dyspepsia = 14 (95% CI = 10 to 25). A further three trials compared Bismuth based H pylori eradication with an alternative pharmacological agent. These trials were smaller and had a shorter follow-up but suggested H pylori eradication was more effective than either H2 receptor antagonists or sucralfate in treating non-ulcer dyspepsia.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

H pylori eradication therapy has a small but statistically significant effect in H pylori positive non-ulcer dyspepsia. An economic model suggests this modest benefit may still be cost-effective but more research is needed.

Characteristics of Japanese patients with chronic gastritis and comparison with functional dyspepsia defined by ROME III criteria: based on the large-scale survey, FUTURE study

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with chronic gastritis in Japan, a large scale clinical survey of patients with chronic upper gastrointestinal symptoms was conducted. Patients diagnosed with functional dyspepsia (FD) according to the ROME III criteria were selected from among patients with chronic gastritis and the clinical characteristics of patients with FD and those with chronic gastritis were compared.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with upper abdominal symptoms and diagnosed with chronic gastritis were enrolled in the study. Their main complaints, duration of symptoms, clinical characteristics, mental state, and results of endoscopic examinations, if available, were prospectively surveyed. Quality of life (QOL) impairment caused by abdominal symptoms was also surveyed using the Izumo QOL scale.

RESULTS

A total of 9,125 patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic gastritis were enrolled in the survey. Of those, approximately 60% had more than 2 symptoms and QOL impairment was greater in cases with multiple symptoms. Endoscopic examinations were performed in 2,946 cases (32.3% of enrolled patients), during which gastric and/or esophageal carcinoma was found in only 0.2%, though organic diseases were found in 6.2%. Endoscopic examinations were not done for patients with high risks of organic diseases. Of patients with organic diseases excluded by an endoscopic examination, only 362 (12.3% of patients who underwent an endoscopy) were diagnosed with FD according to the ROME III criteria, mainly because of short symptom duration. There were no remarkable differences in regard to clinical characteristics, including symptoms and mental state, between patients with chronic gastritis and those with FD.

CONCLUSION

Clinical characteristics of patients with chronic gastritis were similar to those with FD, except for shorter symptom duration.

Population-based strategies for Helicobacter pylori-associated disease management: a Japanese perspective

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection is decreasing gradually in Japan mainly owing to an improvement in sanitary conditions. The guidelines for H. pylori management by the Japanese Society for Helicobacter Research, initially established in 2000 and revised in 2003, were revised dramatically in January 2009. The new guidelines accepted the use of new drugs and recommended trying the second-line eradication regimen. Moreover, the revised guidelines reflected the recent knowledge in Japan that metachronous gastric cancer prevalance is decreased significantly by the eradication of H. pylori infection. The Japanese Society for Helicobacter Research proposed that the cure of H. pylori infection should be presupposed to prevent gastric cancer from active gastritis universally developed in the infected subjects. Overall, the most important and dramatic revision is that all infected people are recommended to receive eradication therapy irrespective of the clinical outcomes in the Japanese population.

Guidelines for the management of Helicobacter pylori infection in Japan: 2009 revised edition

BACKGROUND

Over the past few years, the profile of Helicobacter pylori infection has changed in Japan. In particular, the relationship between H. pylori and gastric cancer has been demonstrated more clearly. Accordingly, the committee of the Japanese Society for Helicobacter Research has revised the guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of H. pylori infection in Japan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four meetings of guidelines preparation committee were held from July 2007 to December 2008. In the new guidelines, recommendations for treatment have been classified into five grades according to the Minds Recommendation Grades, while the level of evidence has been classified into six grades. The Japanese national health insurance system was not taken into consideration when preparing these guidelines.

RESULTS

Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy achieved a Grade A recommendation, being useful for the treatment of gastric or duodenal ulcer, for the treatment and prevention of H. pylori-associated diseases such as gastric cancer, and for inhibiting the spread of H. pylori infection. Levels of evidence were determined for each disease associated with H. pylori infection. For the diagnosis of H. pylori infection, measurement of H. pylori antigen in the feces was added to the tests not requiring biopsy. One week of proton-pump inhibitor-based triple therapy (including amoxicillin and metronidazole) was recommended as second-line therapy after failure of first-line eradication therapy.

CONCLUSION

The revised Japanese guidelines for H. pylori are based on scientific evidence and avoid the administrative restraints that applied to earlier versions.

Influence of gastric mucosal status on success of stepwise acid suppressive therapy for dyspepsia

BACKGROUND

The most effective initial treatment strategy of dyspepsia is still under debate. Individual biological characteristics, such as condition of gastric mucosa, might contribute to selection of the most appropriate acid suppression treatment strategy.

AIM

To assess whether pre-treatment testing of gastric mucosal status is relevant for treatment success in an RCT comparing step-up and step-down therapies in newly diagnosed dyspepsia patients.

METHODS

Baseline serum samples were collected to assess gastric mucosal status using serum levels of pepsinogens-I&II, gastrin-17, and Helicobacter pylori IgA/IgG-antibodies. The 6-month treatment success was compared between step-up and step-down for patients with serum diagnoses: normal; gastritis; corpus atrophy or antrum atrophy.

RESULTS

In all, 519 patients (M/F: 249/270, age: 47 (18-85) years, 29%H. pylori+) were randomized to step-up (n = 293) or step-down (n = 226). Normal mucosa, gastritis and corpus atrophy were diagnosed serologically in 70%, 28% and 2% of the patients, evenly distributed between the strategies (P = 0.65). Treatment success was achieved in respectively, 69%, 70% and 70% for the serum diagnosis groups, and did not differ between the strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

Dyspepsia treatment success could not be predicted by gastric mucosal status. Therefore, serum diagnosis of gastric mucosal status is no useful tool for patient allocation to acid suppressive treatment strategies.

Helicobacter pylori eradication and gastric cancer: when is the horse out of the barn?

Helicobacter pylori infection is a major risk factor for gastric cancer development. Therefore, H. pylori eradication may be an important approach in the prevention of gastric cancer. However, long-term data proving the efficacy of this approach are lacking. This report describes two patients who developed gastric cancer at, respectively, 4 and 14 years after H. pylori eradication therapy. These patients were included in a study cohort of H. pylori-infected subjects who received anti-H. pylori therapy during the early years of development of H. pylori eradication therapy and underwent strict endoscopic follow-up for several years. In both patients, gastric ulcer disease and premalignant gastric lesions, i.e., intestinal metaplasia at baseline and dysplasia during follow-up, were diagnosed before gastric cancer development. These case reports demonstrate that H. pylori eradication does not prevent gastric cancer development in all infected patients after long-term follow-up. In patients with premalignant gastric lesions, in particular in patients with a history of gastric ulcer disease, adequate endoscopic follow-up is essential for early detection of gastric neoplasia.

Atrophic gastritis, but not antibody to Helicobacter pylori, is associated with body mass index in a Japanese population

BACKGROUND

The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and body mass index (BMI) is controversial. Several reports have indicated that eradication of HP infection induces an increase in BMI. In contrast, epidemiological case-control studies have failed to show an association between HP infection and BMI. Therefore, we investigated whether HP and atrophic gastritis (AG) were associated with BMI.

METHODS

A total of 617 individuals were recruited for the measurements of BMI, serum leptin, pepsinogens (PGs) I and II, and IgG antibody to HP (HP-IgG). BMI and leptin of the subjects were compared when the subjects were stratified by HP-IgG and PGs.

RESULTS

The subjects were divided into AG-positive and AG-negative groups according to PGs (AG-positive: PG I < or = 70 ng/ml and PG I/II ratio < or =3.0). BMI after adjusting for sex and age was significantly lower in the AG-positive group than in the AG-negative group (23.47 +/- 3.05 vs. 24.18 +/- 3.25, P = 0.010). When the subjects were divided into two groups according to HP-IgG, BMI tended to be lower in the HP-IgG-positive group, though the difference was not large. When the subjects were divided into four groups for different combinations of AG and HP-IgG, BMI was the lowest in the AG-positive and HP-IgG-negative group.

CONCLUSIONS

BMI was associated with AG, as diagnosed by PGs, but not with HP infection status. These results mean that HP infection affects BMI via atrophic gastritis.

Treatment of Helicobacter pylori and prevention of gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is the second commonest fatal malignancy in the world with a high incidence in China. Helicobacter pylori infection is an important factor in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer. Epidemiological studies have shown a strong causal relationship between H. pylori infection and gastric cancer. Animal studies also show that eradication of H. pylori infection, especially at the early stage, is effective in preventing H. pylori-related gastric carcinogenesis. H. pylori eradication leads to regression and prevents the progression of gastric precancerous lesions, but only in a minority of cases. H. pylori eradication appears to be the most promising approach in gastric cancer prevention. The current available data in human studies showed that H. pylori eradication can reduce the risk of developing gastric cancer and this strategy is more useful in patients without atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia. A longer follow-up and additional studies are needed for better understanding this issue.

Review article: Helicobacter pylori eradication for the prevention of gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. A clear association between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric cancer was established years ago. H. pylori eradication may be an effective approach to decrease morbidity and mortality of gastric cancer.

AIM

To discuss current evidence of H. pylori eradication for prevention of gastric cancer.

RESULTS

Recent studies have shown that the association between H. pylori and gastric cancer has probably been underestimated. This may have resulted from negative H. pylori status in subjects after loss of colonisation in the presence of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia, prior to development of gastric cancer. The recognition of the central role of H. pylori in carcinogenesis has increased expectations of gastric cancer prevention by H. pylori eradication. A primary preventive effect of eradication in subjects with H. pylori-induced gastritis has been demonstrated. However, a secondary preventive effect in patients with pre-malignant gastric lesions is still controversial, especially in patients with intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia.

CONCLUSIONS

At this moment, H. pylori eradication seems indicated at the earliest stage of gastric carcinogenesis. This treatment policy requires confirmation; results of ongoing randomised controlled trials are therefore eagerly awaited.

Gastric preneoplastic lesions and epithelial dysplasia

The incidence of gastric cancer is declining; however, it remains the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. This article describes gastric preneoplastic lesions and epithelial dysplasia. The possible role of Helicobacter pylori infection is emphasized.

American College of Gastroenterology guideline on the management of Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) remains a prevalent, worldwide, chronic infection. Though the prevalence of this infection appears to be decreasing in many parts of the world, H. pylori remains an important factor linked to the development of peptic ulcer disease, gastric malignanc and dyspeptic symptoms. Whether to test for H. pylori in patients with functional dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), patients taking nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, with iron deficiency anemia, or who are at greater risk of developing gastric cancer remains controversial. H. pylori can be diagnosed by endoscopic or nonendoscopic methods. A variety of factors including the need for endoscopy, pretest probability of infection, local availability, and an understanding of the performance characteristics and cost of the individual tests influences choice of evaluation in a given patient. Testing to prove eradication should be performed in patients who receive treatment of H. pylori for peptic ulcer disease, individuals with persistent dyspeptic symptoms despite the test-and-treat strategy, those with H. pylori-associated MALT lymphoma, and individuals who have undergone resection of early gastric cancer. Recent studies suggest that eradication rates achieved by first-line treatment with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), clarithromycin, and amoxicillin have decreased to 70-85%, in part due to increasing clarithromycin resistance. Eradication rates may also be lower with 7 versus 14-day regimens. Bismuth-containing quadruple regimens for 7-14 days are another first-line treatment option. Sequential therapy for 10 days has shown promise in Europe but requires validation in North America. The most commonly used salvage regimen in patients with persistent H. pylori is bismuth quadruple therapy. Recent data suggest that a PPI, levofloxacin, and amoxicillin for 10 days is more effective and better tolerated than bismuth quadruple therapy for persistent H. pylori infection, though this needs to be validated in the United States.

The detection, surveillance and treatment of premalignant gastric lesions related to Helicobacter pylori infection

Gastric cancer is an important worldwide health problem and causes considerable morbidity and mortality. It represents the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. A cascade of recognizable precursor lesions precedes most distal gastric carcinomas. In this multistep model of gastric carcinogenesis, Helicobacter pylori causes chronic active inflammation of the gastric mucosa, which slowly progresses through the premalignant stages of atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia to gastric carcinoma. Detection and treatment of premalignant lesions may thus provide a basis for gastric cancer prevention. However, at present, premalignant changes of the gastric mucosa are frequently disregarded in clinical practice or result in widely varying follow-up frequency or treatment. This review provides an overview of current knowledge on detection, surveillance and treatment of patients with premalignant gastric lesions, and identifies the uncertainties that require further research.

Helicobacter pylori eradication for gastric cancer prevention

Gastric cancer is the second most common fatal malignancy in the world. Its incidence is high in East Asia. Helicobacter pylori infection is an important factor in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer. Epidemiological studies have established a strong causal relationship between H. pylori infection and gastric cancer. H. pylori eradication is therefore likely to be one of the most promising approaches to gastric cancer prevention. Animal studies have shown that eradication of H. pylori infection, especially at the early stage, is effective in preventing H. pylori-related gastric carcinogenesis. However, the available data from human studies show that H. pylori eradication does not completely prevent gastric cancer and that it might be useful only in patients without atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia at baseline. Longer follow-up and additional studies are needed to clarify this issue.

Helicobacter pylori eradication for the prevention of gastric cancer

Even though Helicobacter pylori infection is an obvious cause of chronic non-atrophic and atrophic gastritis, as well as gastric dysplasia and cancer, several recent controlled intervention trials for the prevention of gastric cancer by H. pylori eradication have yielded disappointing results. They showed that cancer eradication may still appear in relatively high frequency after successful treatment of H. pylori. One explanation for this observation is that H. pylori treatment has less influence in development of gastric cancer in atrophic gastritis than in development of cancers in non-atrophic gastritis, and that eradication does not prevent the progression of precancerous lesions and small invisible early cancers to overt tumors. Noteworthy however, the available intervention trials show that gastric cancer can be prevented by H. pylori treatment in patients with non-atrophic gastritis. Trials with higher number of patients, with longer follow-up periods, and with more careful controlling of cancer type and underlying gastric mucosal conditions are needed.

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori for non-ulcer dyspepsia

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is the main cause of peptic ulcer disease. The role of H pylori in non-ulcer dyspepsia is less clear.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effect of H pylori eradication on dyspepsia symptoms in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Trials were identified through electronic searches of the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and SIGLE, using appropriate subject headings and keywords, searching bibliographies of retrieved articles, and through contacts with experts in the fields of dyspepsia and with pharmaceutical companies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All parallel group randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing drugs to eradicate H pylori with placebo or other drugs known not to eradicate H pylori for patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were collected on individual and global dyspeptic symptom scores, quality of life measures and adverse effects. Dyspepsia outcomes were dichotomised into minimal/resolved versus same/worse symptoms.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty one randomised controlled trials were included in the systematic review. Eighteen trials compared antisecretory dual or triple therapy with placebo antibiotics +/- antisecretory therapy, and evaluated dyspepsia at 3-12 months. Seventeen of these trials gave results as dichotomous outcomes evaluating 3566 patients and there was no significant heterogeneity between the studies. There was a 10% relative risk reduction in the H pylori eradication group (95% CI = 6% to 14%) compared to placebo. The number needed to treat to cure one case of dyspepsia = 14 (95% CI = 10 to 25). A further three trials compared Bismuth based H pylori eradication with an alternative pharmacological agent. These trials were smaller and had a shorter follow-up but suggested H pylori eradication was more effective than either H2 receptor antagonists or sucralfate in treating non-ulcer dyspepsia.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

H pylori eradication therapy has a small but statistically significant effect in H pylori positive non-ulcer dyspepsia. An economic model suggests this modest benefit may still be cost-effective but more research is needed.

Western blotting of total lysate of Helicobacter pylori in cases of atrophic body gastritis

BACKGROUND

Atrophic body gastritis is considered the first important step in the histogenesis of gastric carcinoma, a multistep process starting from chronic gastritis and progressing through chronic atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia. Helicobacter pylori is involved in the induction of atrophic body gastritis, but documentation of H. pylori infection is difficult because of the progressive disappearance of the bacterium. Our study aimed to detect past H. pylori infection in patients with atrophic body gastritis.

METHODS

We used Western blot analyses of whole bacterial protein lysate of 2 different strains to probe sera from 143 patients. All sera were analyzed by ELISA (Bio-Rad), and results of gastric histology were available for all patients.

RESULTS

Among 111 patient sera previously classified as negative for H. pylori infection by ELISA, 106 (95.5%) were positive when assayed by immunoblotting.

CONCLUSIONS

Commercial diagnostic reagent sets may fail to detect H. pylori infection. Western blotting of whole bacterial protein extracts could provide the basis of a noninvasive serology tool able to assess previous infection with H. pylori in patients with atrophic body gastritis.

Recovery of gastric function after Helicobacter pylori eradication in subjects with body atrophic gastritis: prospective 4-year study

BACKGROUND

The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication and atrophic changes in the gastric mucosa has not yet been fully defined. Although studies report a partial restoration of serum pepsinogen I (sPGI) levels after eradication, it is not clear if this finding reflects gastric mucosal healing on a morphological level.

AIM

To assess alterations in gastric function after H. pylori eradication on moderate/severe body atrophic gastritis by determination of sPGI levels.

METHODS

Twenty-three dyspeptic patients, selected from 284 consecutive H. pylori positive patients, with histological features of moderate/severe body atrophic gastritis and sPGI < 25 microg/L (11 men, mean age: 51.8 years, range: 29-79 years), underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with gastric biopsies and sPGI determination at baseline. All patients underwent eradication therapy. Serum pepsinogen I was measured again after 6 months, and at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years after eradication therapy.

RESULTS

Mean sPGI levels prior to eradication were 11.9 microg/L (range: 4-23 microg/L). Six months after eradication therapy, mean sPGI levels significantly increased to 17.4 microg/L (P = 0.04). At the completion of the study, 4 years after eradication, sPGI levels increased from 17.4 to 32.7 microg/L (P = 0.01). A significant progressive increase in sPGI levels was observed from 6 months to 1 year (17.4 to 23.9 microg/L) and from 1 to 2 years (23.9 to 26.0 microg/L, P = 0.01). Serum pepsinogen I levels higher than the cut-off value of 25 microg/L were observed at various time-points: 6.3% of patients at 6 months (1/16), 33.3% (5/15) at 1 year, 50% (7/14) at 24 months, 66.7% (6/9) at 36 months and 87.5% (7/8) at 4 years.

CONCLUSION

After H. pylori eradication, subjects with body atrophic gastritis showed long-term improvement of physiological gastric function, reflected by significantly and continually increasing sPGI levels over a 4-year period.

Improvement of gastrointestinal quality of life scores in cases of Helicobacter pylori-positive functional dyspepsia after successful eradication therapy

Functional dyspepsia (FD) refers to a broad range of chronic upper abdominal symptoms associated with food intake. A definitive treatment for FD has not yet been established, and the effect of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication still remains under debate. The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) is a specific questionnaire for patients with gastrointestinal symptoms. The present study examined the quality of life (QOL) of patients with H. pylori-positive FD following H. pylori eradication.

METHODS

Sixty-eight patients with FD who gave informed consent were recruited for the study. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by the culture and histological methods, and the H. pylori eradication consisted of a 7-day course of lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin. The overall success of the treatment was confirmed by a 13C urea breath test (UBT) conducted 3 months after the eradication. The GSRS questionnaire was administered to the patient just before the start of the eradication therapy and at 3 months after the therapy, just before the UBT was performed.

RESULTS

In successfully eradicated patients, the total GSRS and the abdominal pain score significantly decreased. In particular, the abdominal pain score and indigestion score were significantly decreased after successful eradication in patients with ulcer-like FD or dysmotility-like FD. Conversely, in patients in whom the eradication was unsuccessful, neither the total GSRS nor any of the individual symptom scores showed any significant change.

CONCLUSION

Successful H. pylori eradication improved the QOL of patients with FD, in particular H. pylori-positive patients with ulcer-like FD or dysmotility-like FD.

Helicobacter pylori eradication does not cause reflux oesophagitis in functional dyspeptic patients: a randomized, investigator-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The protective role of Helicobacter pylori in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease has been widely discussed.

AIM

To assess the risk of reflux oesophagitis in patients with functional dyspepsia after treatment for H. pylori infection.

METHODS

A randomized, placebo-controlled, investigator-blinded trial was carried out on 157 functional dyspeptic patients. Patients were randomized to receive lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin (antibiotic group) or lansoprazole and identical antibiotic placebos (control group). Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed at baseline, 3 and 12 months after randomization. The primary aim was to detect the presence of reflux oesophagitis. Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis.

RESULTS

A total of 147 patients (94%) and 133 (85%) completed 3 months and 12 months follow-up, respectively. The eradication rate of H. pylori was 90% in the antibiotic group (74 of 82) and 1% (one of 75) in the control group. At 3 months, reflux oesophagitis was diagnosed in 3.7% (three of 82) in the antibiotic group and 4% (three of 75) in the control group (P > 0.2). At 12 months, diagnosis was established in five new cases within the first group and in four within the second (P > 0.2). No difference was found in heartburn symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

H. pylori eradication does not cause reflux oesophagitis in this western population of functional dyspeptic patients.

Is Helicobacter pylori seropositivity related to body mass index in the United States?

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori infection may decrease serum ghrelin and increase gastric leptin levels, which may, in turn, decrease body mass index.

AIM

To determine whether H. pylori seropositivity is associated with body mass index.

METHODS

Serum H. pylori and cytotoxin-associated gene product A (CagA) antibody levels were measured on 6724 adult participants of the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-91). We evaluated the association between H. pylori/CagA antibody status [both negative (-/-), H. pylori-positive/CagA-negative (+/-), or both positive (+/+)] and body mass index, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. We also investigated whether H. pylori/cytotoxin-associated gene product A antibody status was associated with fasting serum leptin levels.

RESULTS

H. pylori/CagA antibody status was not associated with obesity (body mass index > or = 30 kg/m(2)) [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.2, 95% CI: 0.9-1.6 comparing (+/+) to (-/-) and adjusted OR 1.1, 95% CI: 0.8-1.5 comparing (+/-) to (-/-)], overweight (body mass index 25 to <30 kg/m(2)) [adjusted OR 1.0, 95% CI: 0.7-1.2 comparing (+/+) to (-/-) and adjusted OR 1.0, 95% CI: 0.8-1.3 comparing (+/-) to (-/-)], or fasting serum leptin level in the USA population.

CONCLUSIONS

H. pylori seropositivity and CagA antibody status are not associated with body mass index or fasting serum leptin level.

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori for non-ulcer dyspepsia

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is the main cause of peptic ulcer disease. The role of H pylori in non-ulcer dyspepsia is less clear.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effect of H pylori eradication on dyspepsia symptoms in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Trials were identified through electronic searches of the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and SIGLE, using appropriate subject headings and keywords, searching bibliographies of retrieved articles, and through contacts with experts in the fields of dyspepsia and with pharmaceutical companies. These searches were updated in October 2004.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All parallel group randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing drugs to eradicate H pylori with placebo or other drugs known not to eradicate H pylori for patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were collected on individual and global dyspeptic symptom scores, quality of life measures and adverse effects. Dyspepsia outcomes were dichotomised into minimal/resolved versus same/worse symptoms.

MAIN RESULTS

Seventeen randomised controlled trials were included in the systematic review. Fourteen trials compared antisecretory dual or triple therapy with placebo antibiotics +/- antisecretory therapy, and evaluated dyspepsia at 3-12 months. Thirteen of these trials gave results as dichotomous outcomes evaluating 3186 patients and there was no significant heterogeneity between the studies. There was a 8% relative risk reduction in the H pylori eradication group (95% CI = 3% to 12%) compared to placebo. The number needed to treat to cure one case of dyspepsia = 18 (95% CI = 12 to 48). A further three trials compared Bismuth based H pylori eradication with an alternative pharmacological agent. These trials were smaller and had a shorter follow-up but suggested H pylori eradication was more effective than either H2 receptor antagonists or sucralfate in treating non-ulcer dyspepsia.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

H pylori eradication therapy has a small but statistically significant effect in H pylori positive non-ulcer dyspepsia. An economic model suggests this modest benefit may still be cost-effective but more research is needed.

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori increases the incidence of hyperlipidaemia and obesity in peptic ulcer patients

BACKGROUND

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori improves clinical symptoms and quality of life in patients with peptic ulcer.

AIM

To investigate the effect of eradication of H. pylori on body mass index and incidence of hyperlipidaemia in patients with peptic ulcer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study population comprised 50 patients (42 men, 8 women; mean age, 51 years; 28 gastric ulcer, 22 duodenal ulcer) who underwent physical and blood examination before and 1 year after undergoing eradication therapy and 100 sex- and age-matched control subjects. Body mass index, total cholesterol and triglyceride were measured before and 1 year after therapy.

RESULTS

The eradication therapy group showed a significant increase in body mass index (22.7+/-2.5 kg/m2 before eradication versus 23.6+/-2.6 kg/m2 after eradication, p < 0.01), serum total cholesterol (204.1+/-33.2 mg/dL versus 221.2+/-38.8 mg/dL, p < 0.01), and triglyceride. Additionally, the eradication therapy group showed a significant increase in the incidence of hypercholesterolemia (30% versus 58%, p<0.01), hypertriglyceridaemia (28% versus 44%, p < 0.01) and obesity (12% versus 22%, p <0.05) 12 months after therapy.

CONCLUSION

Our findings show that eradication of H. pylori significantly increases the incidence of hyperlipidaemia and obesity in patients with peptic ulcer.

Chronic gastritis rat model and role of inducing factors

AIM: To establish an experimental animal model of chronic gastritis in a short term and to investigate the effects of several potential inflammation-inducing factors on rat gastric mucosa.

METHODS: Twenty-four healthy, male SD rats were treated with intragastric administration of 600 mL/L alcohol, 20 mmol/L sodium deoxycholate and 0.5 g/L ammonia (factor A), forage containing low levels of vitamins (factor B), and/or indomethacin (factor C), according to an L₈(2⁷) orthogonal design. After 12 wk, gastric antral and body mucosae were pathologically examined.

RESULTS: Chronic gastritis model was successfully induced in rats treated with factor A for 12 wk. After the treatment of animals, the gastric mucosal inflammation was significantly different from that in controls, and the number of pyloric glands at antrum and parietal cells at body were obviously reduced (P < 0.01). Indomethacin induced gastritis but without atrophy, and short-term vitamin deficiency failed to induce chronic gastritis and gastric atrophy. In addition, indomethacin and vitamin deficiency had no synergistic effect in inducing gastritis with the factor A. No atypical hyperplasia and intestinal metaplasia in the gastric antrum and body were observed in all rats studied.

CONCLUSION: Combined intragastric administration of 600 mL/L alcohol, 20 mmol/L sodium deoxycholate and 0.5 g/L ammonia induces chronic gastritis and gastric atrophy in rats. Indomethacin induces chronic gastritis only. The long-term roles of these factors in gastric inflammation and carcinogenesis need to be further elucidated.

Helicobacter pylori and nonmalignant diseases

This paper reviews the new literature from the past year on the association between colonization with Helicobacter pylori and non-malignant disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract. This issue has, in the past year, remained a topic of wide research interest yielding many important new data. These data show that H. pylori eradication is the most effective therapy for peptic ulcer disease, but that a considerable proportion of ulcer patients remain to have dyspeptic symptoms. The discussion on the interaction between H. pylori and NSAID use in the etiology of ulcer disease has not yet been settled. Several studies, both from Asia and Europe, now reported that H. pylori eradication has a minimal effect on the primary prevention of ulcer disease in NSAID users, but eradication appears of relevance for the secondary prevention of ulcer disease in addition to proton pump inhibitor maintenance therapy. Various studies brought further support for the hypothesis that H. pylori eradication is of some benefit for patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia, although the effects are limited. The prevalence of H. pylori is lower among GERD patients than among controls, but H. pylori eradication has not been consistently shown to increase the risk for the newly development of GERD in an individual subject undergoing H. pylori eradication. The discussion on H. pylori and GERD should not preclude us from treating H. pylori-infected patients for accepted clinical indications. In patients using proton pump inhibitors for GERD, H. pylori eradication leads to a resolution of their corpus-predominant pangastritis, without impairing the efficacy of PPI therapy.

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