Randomised trial of endoscopy with testing for Helicobacter pylori compared with non-invasive H pylori testing alone in the management of dyspepsia

Mistakes in the diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in daily clinical practice

BACKGROUND

An adequate diagnostic and therapeutic approach to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the cornerstone to avoid overdiagnosis, overuse of health resources, and increase in antibiotic resistances. The aim of the study was to evaluate the most common errors in clinical practice and the associated risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective observational study including patients with H. pylori infection and no previous treatment belonging to two defined areas of the National Health System in Spain; some of them were enrolled in the European Registry on H. pylori management (Hp-EuReg). Patients were attended by gastroenterologists between 2010 and 2019. According to current guidelines, we evaluated indications for H. pylori investigation, appropriateness of diagnostic test used in dyspeptic patients and discontinuation of surveillance after treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 1730 patients were included, receiving 2260 eradication regimens. H. pylori infection was investigated in 1.7% cases in absence of a formal indication. Oral endoscopy was incorrectly used in 56% of patients with dyspepsia under 55 years without alarm signs, and urea breath test (UBT) was incorrectly used in 22.4% of patients with dyspepsia ≥55 years or red flags. Levofloxacin containing regimens were used as first-line therapy in 7.5% of non-allergic to penicillin patients. After first-line failure, clarithromycin was repeated in 2.6% of the patients who received second-line therapy. Confirmatory test of H. pylori status was absent in 2.5% cases. Men, patients under 55 years, and patients diagnosed by UBT had a higher risk of not undergoing a confirmatory test.

CONCLUSIONS

Investigation of H. pylori infection by gastroenterologists is rare in absence of a formal indication; however, endoscopy is commonly used for dyspeptic patients <55 years without red flags and non-invasive tests are still used for dyspeptic patients ≥55 years or presenting alarm signs. Men, patients under 55 years, and patients diagnosed by UBT have an increased risk of being lost to follow-up after eradication treatment.

Diagnostic Value of Fecal Calprotectin in Children with Gastritis, Duodenitis and Helicobacter Pylori

Background

Fecal calprotectin (FC) is suggested as a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases; however, few studies have investigated its diagnostic value for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Therefore, the current study evaluated the level of FC and its diagnostic value in patients with H. Pylori and its related conditions including gastritis and duodenitis.

Methods

In this case-control study, 120 children with upper GI symptoms, who were indicated to undergo upper GI endoscopic examination, were consecutively included. Patients were categorized into different groups based on their endoscopic findings including H. pylori, gastritis, duodenitis or normal.

Results

Patients with gastritis (P = 0.014) and those with duodenitis (P < 001) had significantly higher FC. The level of FC was higher in patients with H. pylori but this difference was marginally significant (P = 0.054). The level of FC had poor ability to diagnose the presence of H. pylori (P = 0.054) and gastritis (area under the curve, AUC = 0.639, P = 0.014). However, it had acceptable power to diagnose patients with or duodenitis (AUC = 0.718, P < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of FC for diagnosis of gastritis were 64 and 65 percent (cut-off = 45.2 μg/g), and for duodenitis were 77 and 61 percent (cut-off = 46.2 μg/g), respectively.

Conclusions

FC can be considered as an objective and diagnostic tool for duodenitis. However, due to the low sensitivity and specificity, it is suggested to consider it as an objective supplementary test beside other established diagnostic modalities.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders. Overlap syndrome Clinical guidelines of the Russian Scientific Medical Society of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterological Scientific Society of Russia

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Gastroscopy in younger patients: an analysis of referrals and pathologies

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Diagnostic guidelines for the investigation of dyspepsia for patients <50 years have been implemented. However, it is unsure whether these guidelines are used appropriately. We aimed to investigate the adherence to the national guidelines of uninvestigated dyspepsia and to examine the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal pathology in patients 18-50 years. We also aimed to detect any possible risk factors for pathology in esophagogastroduodenoscopy referrals and to evaluate differences between referrals from the hospital and primary health care.

METHOD

This is a retrospective review of medical records including patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy between January 2019 and April 2020 (n = 1809). Odds ratios (OR), positive predictive values (PPV), negative predictive values (NPV), chi-square and Mann-Whitney U-tests were applied.

RESULTS

In total 1708 patients were included, of whom 43.6% (n = 744) had a pathologic finding. Age group 41-50 years showed the highest prevalence with an OR 1.34 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-1.69]. Helicobacter pylori testing was performed in 21.1% (n = 167) of patients with dyspepsia lacking alarm symptoms (n = 791). PPV and OR were generally low for a pathologic esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The absence of alarm symptoms showed a high NPV for significant pathology (98.7-99.6%). Significant pathology was almost exclusively found in hospital-based referrals.

CONCLUSIONS

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is widely performed in young adults, often without significant findings. Adherence to the national guidelines was poor. No referral factors were associated with a significant risk for a pathologic finding. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy based on primary healthcare referrals demonstrated almost exclusively benign pathology. Significant pathology was only found via hospital-based referrals.

The Fear of Gastric Cancer in Patients with Dyspepsia: Challenge in Specialist Care Gastroenterology

BACKGROUND

Dyspepsia is one of the most common complaints in gastroenterology. While its etiology is usually benign, rare cases of malignancy have to be identified. Individualized risk stratification is essential for cost-effective management of dyspepsia. Here, we discuss the challenges of investigating dyspepsia at the specialist level and provide a framework for rational workup and surveillance strategies.

SUMMARY

Causes of dyspepsia can be functional or organic, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, or malignancy. H. pylori gastritis represents a specific entity of dyspepsia and increases the risk of gastric cancer. H. pylori eradication can improve symptoms in a subset of patients and reduce gastric cancer risk. In young patients without alarm features, malignancy is rare, and noninvasive testing for H. pylori is appropriate. In elder patients and those with alarm features, high-quality endoscopy is the method of choice to rule out malignancy. Advanced corpus-predominant atrophic gastritis with or without intestinal metaplasia represent precancerous lesions.

KEY MESSAGES

Symptom assessment requires to distinguish dyspepsia of functional or organic origin. Risk stratification in dyspeptic patients is based on age, alarm features, and H. pylori status. Noninvasive test-and-treat is recommended in patients with low gastric cancer risk, while endoscopy is recommended in individuals at increased risk. H. pylori infection should be eradicated in order to obtain a symptomatic benefit and reduce gastric cancer risk. Advanced preneoplastic lesions require endoscopic surveillance.

Helicobacter pylori knowledge and perception among multi-ethnic Asians

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is endemic and causes peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. There is a lack of data related to awareness of the general public about HP and associated health risks. The objective of this study was to investigate the awareness and public perceptions about HP and the attitudes towards screening.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included a structured 19-item questionnaire targeting members of the general public at a restructured acute hospital in Singapore.

RESULTS

Out of 504 participants, 152 (30.2%) were aware of HP. Higher education was associated with HP awareness (p < 0.001, OR 7.4, 95% CI 1.6-32.6). A third, 175 (34.7%) of the respondents identified the stomach as the primary site of infection. 131 (26.0%) respondents identified the fecal-oral route as a mode of transmission. 178 (35.3%) respondents were aware of available screening modalities, with around half of them willing to be screened with blood (n = 256, 50.8%) or breath tests (n = 265, 52.6%). 430 (85.3%) participants were keen to learn more about HP, and this was associated with age (p < 0.05, OR 3.9, 95% CI 2.1-7.1).

CONCLUSION

Awareness about HP infection is low, and acceptance of screening tests is high. Educational efforts are needed to improve awareness.

The Urea Breath Test for the Noninvasive Detection of Helicobacter pylori

The concept of the urea breath test (UBT), as a method for H. pylori detection, is based on the ability of the H. pylori urease enzyme to break down an isotope-labelled urea solution ingested by the patient into carbon dioxide (CO₂) and ammonia. This chapter summarizes the current use of the UBT and the utility of the "UBT and Treat" strategy compared to other strategies for the management of H. pylori infection . Different UBT methods are described as well as factors affecting the accuracy of the test.

Phytotherapeutic modalities for the management of Helicobacter pylori associated peptic ulcer

Due to an imbalance between aggressive factors known as hydrochloric acid (HCl), pepsin, leukotrienes, refluxed bile, defensive factors and reactive oxygen species, the peptic ulcer is formed in the stomach and duodenum which mostly include the function of prostaglandins, mucus bicarbonate barrier, enzymatic antioxidants, and some growth factors. H. pylori infection remained one of the considerable causes of peptic ulcer as it caused hypochlorhydria and struck off the defense mechanism of the stomach. The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and stress are the most prevailing causes of peptic ulcer disease. Lack of physical exercise, little rest and due to poor leisure cause the peptic ulcer disease. Candies, chocolate, coffee, cigarettes, stress, and alcohol are the cause of peptic ulceration and suppression of acid in the stomach due to the utilization of antacid medication. Most of the ancient medical practices in the traditional alternative medicinal system include Unani, Ayurveda, Siddha, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Chinese customary medicine, African conventional medicine, and Native American medicine. Without a hostile effect, the rate of curing the disease is the significance of natural products research. Peptic ulcer disease is the widespread nature of peptic ulcer in all class of population, which mostly may be due to rapidly changing the food habits and stress, causing the imbalance between gastric offensive and defensive factors. Curcuma longa is the most effective plant for the cure of peptic ulcer. Curcuma longa has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Curcuma longa remarkably reduces the level of inflammatory mediator (IL1) and (TNF) which was increased during the formation of an ulcer. In the rhizome of Curcuma longa, yellow pigment is present and widely used for the treatment of ulcer and decrease the inflammatory response. Symptoms include abdominal pain after taking a meal, nausea, vomiting, Anorexia and lose weight.

Helicobacter pylori: getting to grips with the guidance

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium that inhabits the mucus layer above the gastric mucosa. While infection rates vary by region, the global prevalence is estimated at 50%. While asymptomatic carriage is common, infection can result in significant morbidity and mortality from complications including peptic ulcer disease, atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer. Paediatric and adult practices diverge due to differences in complication rate, symptomatology, practicalities with investigations and treatment options. Widespread use of standard antibiotic regimens has however resulted in a rapid global increase in antibiotic resistance and treatment failure in all ages. There is urgent need to optimise treatment regimens and maximise first-time eradication rates. This need is reflected in the latest guidelines from the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition for paediatric practice and the Maastricht Guidelines for adult practice. This article aims to provide a practical overview of the investigations and management of H. pylori by comparing and contrasting these guidelines.

Effectiveness of management strategies for uninvestigated dyspepsia: systematic review and network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of management strategies for uninvestigated dyspepsia.

DESIGN

Systematic review and network meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, Embase, Embase Classic, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and clinicaltrials.gov from inception to September 2019, with no language restrictions. Conference proceedings between 2001 and 2019.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES

Randomised controlled trials that assessed the effectiveness of management strategies for uninvestigated dyspepsia in adult participants (age ≥18 years). Strategies of interest were prompt endoscopy; test for Helicobacter pylori and perform endoscopy in participants who test positive; test for H pylori and eradication treatment in those who test positive ("test and treat"); empirical acid suppression; or symptom based management. Trials reported dichotomous assessment of symptom status at final follow-up (≥12 months).

RESULTS

The review identified 15 eligible randomised controlled trials that comprised 6162 adult participants. Data were pooled using a random effects model. Strategies were ranked according to P score, which is the mean extent of certainty that one management strategy is better than another, averaged over all competing strategies. "Test and treat" ranked first (relative risk of remaining symptomatic 0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.78 to 1.02, P score 0.79) and prompt endoscopy ranked second, but performed similarly (0.90, 0.80 to 1.02, P score 0.71). However, no strategy was significantly less effective than "test and treat." Participants assigned to "test and treat" were significantly less likely to receive endoscopy (relative risk v prompt endoscopy 0.23, 95% confidence interval 0.17 to 0.31, P score 0.98) than all other strategies, except symptom based management (relative risk v symptom based management 0.60, 0.30 to 1.18). Dissatisfaction with management was significantly lower with prompt endoscopy (P score 0.95) than with "test and treat" (relative risk v "test and treat" 0.67, 0.46 to 0.98), and empirical acid suppression (relative risk v empirical acid suppression 0.58, 0.37 to 0.91). Upper gastrointestinal cancer rates were low in all trials. Results remained stable in sensitivity analyses, with minimal inconsistencies between direct and indirect results. Risk of bias of individual trials was high; blinding was not possible because of the pragmatic trial design.

CONCLUSIONS

"Test and treat" was ranked first, although it performed similarly to prompt endoscopy and was not superior to any of the other strategies. "Test and treat" led to fewer endoscopies than all other approaches, except symptom based management. However, participants showed a preference for prompt endoscopy as a management strategy for their symptoms.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration number CRD42019132528.

The diagnosis and management of H. pylori infection in Singapore

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is an infection that has a role in causing dyspepsia and complications such as peptic ulcer disease and gastric malignancies. In the primary care setting, one can adopt a stepwise approach with the 'test-and-treat' strategy to manage H. pylori-associated dyspepsia in young patients without alarm symptoms. Empiric first-line therapies should be for a two-week duration; options include clarithromycin-containing triple therapy alone or with the addition of bismuth, concomitant therapy and bismuth quadruple therapy. Post-treatment carbon urea breath test must be performed at least four weeks after the end of treatment to confirm the cure. Options for empiric second-line treatment include bismuth quadruple therapy and levofloxacin-containing triple therapy. Patients with persistent or alarm symptoms should be referred for further evaluation. Patients with persistent infection should be referred for gastroscopy so that gastric biopsies can be obtained for H. pylori culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing.

ACG and CAG Clinical Guideline: Management of Dyspepsia

We have updated both the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) and the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG) guidelines on dyspepsia in a joint ACG/CAG dyspepsia guideline. We suggest that patients ≥60 years of age presenting with dyspepsia are investigated with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to exclude organic pathology. This is a conditional recommendation and patients at higher risk of malignancy (such as spending their childhood in a high risk gastric cancer country or having a positive family history) could be offered an endoscopy at a younger age. Alarm features should not automatically precipitate endoscopy in younger patients but this should be considered on a case-by-case basis. We recommend patients <60 years of age have a non-invasive test Helicobacter pylori and treatment if positive. Those that are negative or do not respond to this approach should be given a trial of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. If these are ineffective tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) or prokinetic therapies can be tried. Patients that have an endoscopy where no pathology is found are defined as having functional dyspepsia (FD). H. pylori eradication should be offered in these patients if they are infected. We recommend PPI, TCA and prokinetic therapy (in that order) in those that fail therapy or are H. pylori negative. We do not recommend routine upper gastrointestinal (GI) motility testing but it may be useful in selected patients.

Early Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Vietnamese Patients with Acute Peptic Ulcer Bleeding: A Prospective Study

Aims. To investigate H. pylori infection rate and evaluate a combined set of tests for H. pylori diagnosis in Vietnamese patients with acute peptic ulcer bleeding (PUD). Methods. Consecutive patients with acute PUB were enrolled prospectively. Rapid urease test (RUT) with 3 biopsies was carried out randomly. Patients without RUT or with negative RUT received urea breath test (UBT) and serological and urinary H. pylori antibody tests. H. pylori was considered positive if RUT or any noninvasive test was positive. Patients were divided into group A (RUT plus noninvasive tests) and group B (only noninvasive tests). Results. The overall H. pylori infection rate was 94.2% (161/171). Groups A and B had no differences in demographic characteristics, bleeding severity, endoscopic findings, and proton pump inhibitor use. H. pylori-positive rate in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (98.2% versus 86.7%, p = 0.004). The positive rate of RUT was similar at each biopsy site but significantly increased if RUT results from 2 or 3 sites were combined (p < 0.05). Conclusions. H. pylori infection rate in Vietnamese patients with acute PUB is high. RUT is an excellent test if at least 2 biopsies are taken.

Management of Helicobacter pylori infection-the Maastricht V/Florence Consensus Report

Important progress has been made in the management of Helicobacter pylori infection and in this fifth edition of the Maastricht Consensus Report, key aspects related to the clinical role of H. pylori were re-evaluated in 2015. In the Maastricht V/Florence Consensus Conference, 43 experts from 24 countries examined new data related to H. pylori in five subdivided workshops: (1) Indications/Associations, (2) Diagnosis, (3) Treatment, (4) Prevention/Public Health, (5) H. pylori and the Gastric Microbiota. The results of the individual workshops were presented to a final consensus voting that included all participants. Recommendations are provided on the basis of the best available evidence and relevance to the management of H. pylori infection in the various clinical scenarios.

Helicobacter pylori infection in dyspeptic patients in an industrial belt of India

The present study is done to study different aspects of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) such as its prevalence, association with upper gastrointestinal pathology, diagnosis and treatment outcome. Gastric antral biopsy and serology for H. pylori was done for all dyspeptic patients. Histopathology, gram stain and biopsy urease test was done from the gastric biopsy specimen. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 58.8%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for histopathology was 96.9%, 100%, 100% and 95.8%, respectively; for biopsy urease test 80.4%, 100%, 100% and 78.2%, respectively; for gram stain 85.6%, 97.1%, 97.6% and 82.5%, respectively, and for serology 94.8%, 77.9%, 86% and 91.4%, respectively. Mostly peptic ulcer and duodenitis cases followed by chronic active gastritis were associated with H. pylori infection. Repeat biopsy revealed eradication of H. pylori in 90.7% cases. In dyspeptic patients, endoscopic biopsy not only detects H. pylori infection, but also reveals different gastric pathologies.

Prevalence of esophageal cancer in the Northern part of Afghanistan

BACKGROUND

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is the standard technique for diagnosis of patients presenting with upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Some reports have shown high prevalence of esophageal cancer in the northern part of Afghanistan. The aim of this study was to investigate epidemiological profile of esophageal cancer among patients in this region.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified 364 consecutive patients that received EGD examinations to examine upper gastrointestinal tract at the endoscopy unit of Balkh regional Hospital from March 2012 to March 2013. The case subjects included both in-patients and out-patients aged 16 years or more. We evaluated the results retrospectively.

RESULTS

The cases consisted of 184 (51%) males and 180 (49%) females. The mean age was 47.3±17.8 and the age range 17-88 years. Ninety two cases had esophageal cancer, out of which 58 (63.0%) were male. The mean age at time of diagnosis was 57.8±13.2 years. Uzbek-Turkmen peoples were more common among patients with esophageal cancer (52.2%). Dysphagia was the most frequent symptom among patients with esophageal cancer at the time of presentation, seen in 77 (84.8%) of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed high incidence of esophageal cancer in the northern part of Afghanistan, especially in the Uzbek-Turkmen ethnic group.

Peptic ulcer andHelicobacter pylori

As evidence about the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and peptic ulcers accumulates, accurate testing and treatment are becoming increasingly important. However, big questions remain about the best strategies for detecting and managing this infection. In this article, the authors discuss the association between H pylori and peptic ulcer disease, the available tests for detecting the infection, and the latest treatment strategies for effective eradication.

Repeat upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients with functional dyspepsia: yield, findings, and predictors of positive findings

Background. No guideline on repeat esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in functional dyspepsia (FD) exists. This study aimed to define yield, findings, and predictors of positive findings on repeat EGD in FD. Methods. FD patients who underwent at least 2 EGDs during October 2005 to November 2011 were enrolled and reviewed. Yield and findings were analyzed and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of positive repeat EGD. Results. The median time to repeat EGD was 34 months. Among 146 patients, 115 patients (79%) had negative and 31 (21%) had positive repeat EGD, including erosive gastritis (13.0%), peptic ulcer (7.5%), reflux esophagitis (1.4%), and Barrett's esophagus (0.7%). Four independent predictors of positive repeat EGD were smoking (HR 3.88, 95% CI 1.31-11.51, P = 0.015), hypertension (HR 2.96, 95% CI 1.38-6.36, P = 0.050), history of malignancies (HR 3.65, 95% CI 1.16-11.46, P = 0.027), and antiplatelets or NSAIDs used within 4 weeks (HR 4.10, 95% CI 1.13-14.90, P = 0.032), while alarm features or failure to treatment did not predict positive repeat EGD.  Conclusion. Yield of repeat EGD in FD was substantially low, all findings were acid-related disorders, and there was no malignancy. Smoking, hypertension, history of malignancies, and antiplatelets/NSAIDs use associated with positive repeat EGD.

Helicobacter Pylori "Test-and-Treat" Strategy for Management of Dyspepsia: A Comprehensive Review

OBJECTIVES:

Deciding on whether the Helicobacter pylori test-and-treat strategy is an appropriate diagnostic–therapeutic approach for patients with dyspepsia invites a series of questions. The aim present article addresses the test-and-treat strategy and attempts to provide practical conclusions for the clinician who diagnoses and treats patients with dyspepsia.

METHODS:

Bibliographical searches were performed in MEDLINE using the keywords Helicobacter pylori, test-and-treat, and dyspepsia. We focused mainly on data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, meta-analyses, cost-effectiveness analyses, and decision analyses.

RESULTS:

Several prospective studies and decision analyses support the use of the test-and-treat strategy, although we must be cautious when extrapolating the results from one geographical area to another. Many factors determine whether this strategy is appropriate in each particular area. The test-and-treat strategy will cure most cases of underlying peptic ulcer disease, prevent most potential cases of gastroduodenal disease, and yield symptomatic benefit in a minority of patients with functional dyspepsia. Future studies should be able to stratify dyspeptic patients according to their likelihood of improving after treatment of infection by H. pylori.

CONCLUSIONS:

The test-and-treat strategy will cure most cases of underlying peptic ulcer disease and prevent most potential cases of gastroduodenal disease. In addition, a minority of infected patients with functional dyspepsia will gain symptomatic benefit. Several prospective studies and decision analyses support the use of the test-and-treat strategy. The test-and-treat strategy is being reinforced by the accumulating data that support the increasingly accepted idea that “the only good H. pylori is a dead H. pylori”.

Dyspepsia: organic versus functional

Dyspepsia is the medical term for difficult digestion. It consists of various symptoms in the upper abdomen, such as fullness, discomfort, early satiation, bloating, heartburn, belching, nausea, vomiting, or pain. The prevalence of dyspepsia in the western world is approximately 20% to 25%. Dyspepsia can be divided into 2 main categories: "organic" and "functional dyspepsia" (FD). Organic causes of dyspepsia are peptic ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastric or esophageal cancer, pancreatic or biliary disorders, intolerance to food or drugs, and other infectious or systemic diseases. Pathophysiological mechanisms underlying FD are delayed gastric emptying, impaired gastric accommodation to a meal, hypersensitivity to gastric distension, altered duodenal sensitivity to lipids or acids, altered antroduodenojenunal motility and gastric electrical rhythm, unsuppressed postprandial phasic contractility in the proximal stomach, and autonomic nervous system-central nervous system dysregulation. Pathogenetic factors in FD are genetic predisposition, infection from Helicobacter pylori or other organisms, inflammation, and psychosocial factors. Diagnostic evaluation of dyspepsia includes upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, gastric emptying testing (scintigraphy, breath test, ultrasonography, or magnetic resonance imaging), and gastric accommodation evaluation (magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, single-photon emission computed tomography, and barostat). Antroduodenal manometry can be used for the assessment of the myoelectrical activity of the stomach, whereas sensory function can be evaluated with the barostat, tensostat, and satiety test. Management of FD includes general measures, acid-suppressive drugs, eradication of H. pylori, prokinetic agents, fundus-relaxing drugs, antidepressants, and psychological interventions. This review presents an update on the diagnosis of patients presenting with dyspepsia, with an emphasis on the pathophysiological and pathogenetic mechanisms of FD and the differential diagnosis with organic causes of dyspepsia. The management of uninvestigated and FD, as well as the established and new pharmaceutical agents, is also discussed.

[Guidelines for the treatment of functional dyspepsia]

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is defined as the presence of symptoms thought to originate in the gastroduodenal area, in the absence of any organic, systemic, or metabolic disease that is likely to explain the symptoms. Based on the available evidence and consensus opinion, thirteen consensus statements for the treatment of FD were developed using the modified Delphi approach. Proton pump inhibitor, prokinetics, and histamine 2 receptor antagonists are effective for the treatment of FD. Mucosal protecting agents, fundus relaxant, and drugs for visceral hypersensitivity can improve symptoms in FD. Antacids and antidepressants may help improving symptoms in FD. Comparing endoscopy with 'test and treat' of Helicobacter pylori, endoscopy may be more effective initial strategy for managing patients with FD in Korea given high incidence of gastric cancer and low cost of endoscopy. Helicobacter pylori eradication can be one of the therapeutic options for patients with FD. Psychotherapy is effective for those who have severe symptoms and refractoriness. Further studies are strongly needed to develop better treatment strategies for Korean patients with FD.

Prevalence of atrophic gastritis in dyspeptic patients in Piedmont. A survey using the GastroPanel test

BACKGROUND

Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is a precursor of the intestinal type of gastric cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. GastroPanel is a recently marketed serological kit for the non-invasive diagnosis of CAG, defined by some authors "even more reliable than biopsy histology". The goal of this study was 1) to evaluate the agreement between the serum gastric profile provided by GastroPanel (PGI, PGII, G-17, AbHp) and histology over CAG diagnosis, and 2) to evaluate the prevalence of CAG by means of GastroPanel in a Northern Italian dyspeptic population.

METHODS

Basal blood samples for GastroPanel parameters evaluation (Biohit Plc, Finland) were collected after an overnight fast from 1387 dyspeptic patients (age range: 18-80 years; F 704). Gastroscopy with two biopsies each of the antrum and corpus was offered to a group of the first 400 consecutive patients (age 18-80 years, F 214) to compare the results of histology and GastroPanel in CAG.

RESULTS

Agreement between GastroPanel and histology for corpus-prevalent CAG was 94%, with a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 96%, respectively. In our series of 1387 dyspeptic patients, the prevalence of corpus-prevalent CAG, of antral-prevalent CAG and of multifocal CAG (antrum+ corpus) was 10.7%, 3.6% and 2.4%, respectively. Out of the 34 patients with multifocal atrophic gastritis, 12% were under 30 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS

GastroPanel is a reliable non-invasive test for diagnosis of CAG and deserves consideration for current use in clinical practice as a valuable diagnostic tool.

Rate and yield of repeat upper endoscopy in patients with dyspepsia

AIM: To determine the rate and yield of repeat esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for dyspepsia in clinical practice, whether second opinions drive its use, and whether it is performed at the expense of colorectal cancer screening.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients who underwent repeat EGD for dyspepsia from 1996 to 2006 at the University of California, San Francisco endoscopy service.

RESULTS: Of 24 780 EGDs, 5460 (22%) were performed for dyspepsia in 4873 patients. Of these, 451 patients (9.3%) underwent repeat EGD for dyspepsia at a median 1.7 (interquartile range, 0.8-3.1) years after initial EGD. Significant findings possibly related to dyspepsia were more likely at initial (29%) vs repeat EGD (18%) [odds ratio (OR), 1.45; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20-1.75, P < 0.0001], and at repeat EGD if the initial EGD had reported such findings (26%) than if it had not (14%) (OR, 1.32; 95% CI: 1.08-1.62, P = 0.0015). The same endoscopist performed the repeat and initial EGD in 77% of cases. Of patients aged 50 years or older, 286/311 (92%) underwent lower endoscopy.

CONCLUSION: Repeat EGD for dyspepsia occurred at a low but substantial rate, with lower yield than initial EGD. Optimizing endoscopy use remains a public health priority.

Indications to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in children with dyspepsia

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to ascertain the appropriateness of indications for upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy in children with dyspepsia.

METHODS

We used the RAND/University of California at Los Angeles method to investigate the appropriateness of the opinions of a panel of experts. The panel judged 2304 theoretical patient scenarios defined by a combination of demographic and clinical variables. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The panel rated UGI endoscopy as appropriate in 27.2% of cases, inappropriate in 14.3%, and dubious in 58.5%. Disagreement emerged for 21% of cases. UGI endoscopy was considered increasingly appropriate in cases with a positive family history of peptic ulcer and/or Helicobacter pylori infection (odds ratio [OR] 8.518, P < 0.0001), when dyspepsia interfered with activities of daily living ("sleep" OR 7.540, P < 0.0001; "normal activities" OR 5.725, P < 0.0001), and when patients were older than 10 years ("<or=10 years" OR 0.310, P < 0.0001) the longer the duration ("0-2 months" OR 0.002, P < 0.0001; "3-5 months" OR 0.059, P < 0.0001; "6-11 months" OR 0.516, P = 0.0005) and the greater the severity ("mild" OR 0.002, P < 0.0001; "moderate" OR 0.013, P < 0.0001) of their dyspeptic symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

UGI endoscopy is not appropriate for all children with dyspeptic symptoms, but only for cases with a family history of peptic ulcer and/or Helicobacter pylori infection, older than 10 years of age, with symptoms persisting for more than 6 months and severe enough to affect activities of daily living.

Clinical practice: diagnosis and evaluation of dyspepsia

The main issue regarding the approach to the patient with uninvestigated dyspepsia is whether the symptoms are the result of an important clinical illness, which then determines the appropriate management strategy for the treatment of the symptoms. An initial trial of empiric antisecretory drugs is recommended for those without Helicobacter pylori infection and no alarm symptoms, whereas H. pylori eradication is recommended for those with an active H. pylori infection. Treatment expectations for H. pylori infections should theoretically be similar to other common infectious diseases. In most regions, clarithromycin resistance has undermined traditional triple therapy so that it is no longer a suitable choice as an empiric therapy. Four drug therapies, such as sequential, concomitant, and bismuth-quadruple therapy are generally still acceptable choices as empiric therapies. Posteradication testing is highly recommended to provide early identification of otherwise unrecognized increasing antimicrobial resistance. However, despite the ability to successfully cure H. pylori infections, a symptomatic response can be expected in only a minority of those with dyspepsia not associated with ulcers (so called nonulcer dyspepsia). Overall, from the patients stand point, symptomatic relief is often difficult to achieve and physicians must rely on reassurance along with empiric and individualized care.

Evaluation and management of dyspepsia

Dyspepsia is a common clinical problem seen by both primary care physicians and gastroenterologists. Initial evaluation should focus on the identification and treatment of potential causes of symptoms such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, and medication side effects but also on recognizing those at risk for more serious conditions such as gastric cancer. This manuscript discusses the evaluation and management of dyspepsia including the role of proton-pump inhibitors, treatment of Helicobacter pylori, and endoscopy. Finally, treatment of refractory functional dyspepsia is addressed.

Managing dyspepsia

The prevalence of dyspepsia in the general population is as high as 40%, and its management represents a considerable financial burden to the health care system. Causes of dyspepsia amenable to medical therapy include peptic ulcer and functional dyspepsia, and testing for Helicobacter pylori and treating positive individuals is beneficial in both conditions. Individuals presenting for the first time with uninvestigated dyspepsia, age greater than 50 years, or alarm features require upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy to exclude gastroesophageal malignancy. Upper GI endoscopy for younger individuals without alarm features is not cost-effective compared with the "test and treat" approach. Test and treat and empirical acid-suppression using a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) have similar costs and effects. Recent evidence suggests that empirical acid suppression commencing with antacids is as effective as PPI. Screening and treatment of H. pylori in PPI users and the community may reduce the costs of managing dyspepsia.

Peptic ulcer disease

Peptic ulcer disease had a tremendous effect on morbidity and mortality until the last decades of the 20th century, when epidemiological trends started to point to an impressive fall in its incidence. Two important developments are associated with the decrease in rates of peptic ulcer disease: the discovery of effective and potent acid suppressants, and of Helicobacter pylori. With the discovery of H pylori infection, the causes, pathogenesis, and treatment of peptic ulcer disease have been rewritten. We focus on this revolution of understanding and management of peptic ulcer disease over the past 25 years. Despite substantial advances, this disease remains an important clinical problem, largely because of the increasingly widespread use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and low-dose aspirin. We discuss the role of these agents in the causes of ulcer disease and therapeutic and preventive strategies for drug-induced ulcers. The rare but increasingly problematic H pylori-negative NSAID-negative ulcer is also examined.

WITHDRAWN: Initial management strategies for dyspepsia

BACKGROUND

This review considers management strategies (combinations of initial investigation and empirical treatments) for dyspeptic patients. Dyspepsia was defined to include both epigastric pain and heartburn.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness, acceptability, and cost effectiveness of the following initial management strategies for patients presenting with dyspepsia (a) Initial pharmacological therapy (including endoscopy for treatment failures). (b) Early endoscopy. (c) Testing for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori )and endoscope only those positive. (d) H. pylori eradication therapy with or without prior testing.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Trials were located through electronic searches and extensive contact with trialists.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised controlled trials of dyspeptic patients presenting in primary care.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were collected on dyspeptic symptoms, quality of life and use of resources. An individual patient data meta-analysis of health economic data was conducted

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-five papers reporting 27 comparisons were found. Trials comparing proton pump inhibitors (PPI) with antacids (three trials) and histamine H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs) (three trials), early endoscopy with initial acid suppression (five trials), H. pylori test and endoscope versus usual management (three trials), H. pylori test and treat versus endoscopy (six trials), and test and treat versus acid suppression alone in H. pylori positive patients (four trials), were pooled. PPIs were significantly more effective than both H2RAs and antacids. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were; for PPI compared with antacid 0.72 (95% CI 0.64 to 0.80), PPI compared with H2RA 0.63 (95% CI 0.47 to 0.85). Results for other drug comparisons were either absent or inconclusive. Initial endoscopy was associated with a small reduction in the risk of recurrent dyspeptic symptoms compared with H. pylori test and treat (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.96), but was not cost effective (mean additional cost of endoscopy US$401 (95% CI $328 to 474). Test and treat may be more effective than acid suppression alone (RR 0.59 95% CI 0.42 to 0.83).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Proton pump inhibitor drugs (PPIs) are effective in the treatment of dyspepsia in these trials which may not adequately exclude patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). The relative efficacy of histamine H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs) and PPIs is uncertain. Early investigation by endoscopy or H. pylori testing may benefit some patients with dyspepsia but is not cost effective as part of an overall management strategy.

Does the eradication of Helicobacter pylori delay the diagnosis of gastric cancer?

OBJECTIVE

To assess the frequency of gastric cancer patients having received eradication treatment of Helicobacter pylori, and whether this treatment has any influence on the delay in the diagnosis or the stage of the tumours at the time of the operation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 119 consecutive patients with gastric cancer were interviewed preoperatively between 2001 and 2003 at the Department of Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital. Abdominal symptoms, previous endoscopies, previous H. pylori testing and eradication therapies were recorded. RESULTS. Of these patients, 112 (94%) had abdominal symptoms before the cancer diagnosis, and in 110 patients (92%) these symptoms were alarming or had changed before the cancer diagnosis. Thirty-five patients (29%) had received H. pylori eradication therapy prior to the diagnosis of gastric cancer (15 after onset or change in symptoms, 10 more than 5 years prior to the cancer diagnosis). The median duration of alarm, new or changed symptoms was longer among patients with H. pylori eradication therapy after the onset or change in their symptoms as compared to other patients (12.0 versus 4.5 months, p=0.001). However, there was no difference in the tumour stages at time of the operation between the eradication and no eradication groups. A previous gastroscopy within 2 years prior to the cancer diagnosis was performed in 17 (14%) patients. Diffuse-type cancers were missed significantly more often in endoscopies than cancers of intestinal type.

CONCLUSION

Previous H. pylori eradication may delay the detection of gastric cancer if it is given during symptoms caused by tumour.

Efficacy of a new therapeutic regimen versus two routinely prescribed treatments for eradication of Helicobacter pylori: a randomized, double-blind study of doxycycline, co-amoxiclav, and omeprazole in Iranian patients

This study compared a new regimen (group A: doxycycline, co-amoxiclav, omeprazole) and two routinely prescribed regimens (group B: amoxicillin, omeprazole, furazolidone, bismuth; group C: amoxicillin, clarithromycin, omeprazole) to find an acceptable first-line treatment option for Helicobacter pylori. The study population consisted of 189 patients who referred to our clinic to undergo endoscopy due to ulcer-like dyspepsia. The H. pylori eradication rate was 68% in group A, 56% in group B, and 70% in group C according to per-control analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in H. pylori eradication between groups A and B (P = 0.187), groups A and C (P = 0.857), and groups B and C (P = 0.15). In conclusion, although none of the three eradication regimens can be recommended as a first-line eradication treatment, the new regimen is at least as effective and probably better tolerated than the two routinely applied regimens.

Clinical trial: a randomized trial of early endoscopy, Helicobacter pylori testing and empirical therapy for the management of dyspepsia in primary care

BACKGROUND

Early endoscopy, Helicobacter pylori eradication and empirical acid suppression are commonly used dyspepsia management strategies in primary care but have not been directly compared in a single trial.

AIM

To compare endoscopy, H. pylori test and refer, H. pylori test and treat and empirical acid suppression for dyspepsia in primary care.

METHODS

Patients presenting to their general practitioner with dyspepsia were randomized to endoscopy, H. pylori'test and treat', H. pylori test and endoscope positives, or empirical therapy with symptoms, patient satisfaction, healthcare costs and cost effectiveness at 12 months being the outcomes.

RESULTS

At 2 months, the proportion of patients reporting no or minimal dyspeptic symptoms ranged from 74% for those having early endoscopy to 55% for those on empirical therapy (P = 0.009), but at 1 year, there was little difference among the four strategies. Early endoscopy was associated with fewer subsequent consultations for dyspepsia (P = 0.003). 'Test and treat' resulted in fewer endoscopies overall and was most cost-effective over a range of cost assumptions. Empirical therapy resulted in the lowest initial costs, but the highest rate of subsequent endoscopy. Gastro-oesophageal cancers were found in four patients randomized to the H. pylori testing strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

While early endoscopy offered some advantages 'Test and treat' was the most cost-effective strategy. In older patients, early endoscopy may be an appropriate strategy in view of the greater risk of malignant disease.

Helicobacter pylori eradication in long-term proton pump inhibitor users is highly cost-effective: economic analysis of the HELPUP trial

BACKGROUND

Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use is costly and about two-thirds of prescribing is long-term. Although 20-50% of patients may be infected with Helicobacter pylori, eradication is not normal clinical practice.

AIM

To establish if H. pylori eradication in long-term PPI users is cost-effective.

METHODS

Long-term PPI-using patients (n = 183) testing positive for H. pylori were randomly assigned to true or placebo eradication therapy. Patients provided 2-year resource data, and 1-year symptom severity scores. A within-trial cost effectiveness analysis was conducted from a British health service perspective.

RESULTS

Significant reductions in resource use occurred comparing eradication with placebo. After 2 years, PPI prescriptions (full-dose equivalents) fell by 3.9 (P < 0.0001); clinician (GP) consultations by 2.4 (P = 0.0001); upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopies by 14.8% (P = 0.008); clinician GI-related home visits by 19.9% (P = 0.005) and abdominal ultrasound scans fell by 20.3% (P = 0.005). Average net savings/patient were pound93 (95% CI: 33-153) after costs of detection and eradication had been deducted. At 1 year, Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire symptoms fell by 3.1 (P = 0.005) and quality-of-life measures improved (EuroQol-5D: 0.089, P = 0.08; visual analogue scale: 5.6, P = 0.002) favouring eradication.

CONCLUSION

Helicobacter pylori eradication in infected, long-term PPI users is an economically dominant strategy, significantly reducing overall healthcare costs and symptom severity.

Detection of Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Dyspeptic Patients by Different Sero-Bacteriological Methods

To evaluate invasive (biopsy related) tests and noninvasive (serological) tests in the diagnosis of H.pylori, ninety-two adults (54 male, 38 female) presenting with dyspepsia were studied after classification into two groups on the basis of endoscopical diagnosis; 46 patients with erosive diseases (gastroduodenal ulcers or gastroduodenal erosions) and 46patients with non-erosive diseases (gastritis or gastroduodenitis). Sera were testedfor anti-H.pylori IgG and IgM by an immunochromatography card test and ELISA respectively. Three antral biopsies were taken for biopsy urease test (BUT), bacterial culture and histological examination. Stool samples were obtained from only 30 dyspeptic cases for H.pylori antigen detection (HpSA) by an ELISA method.

H. pylori was detected in 81 of 92 cases; these were positive by one or more of the gold standard tests (culture, histology and biopsy-urease test). Histological examination yielded the highest frequency of microorganism detection (71.7%), followed by BUT (68.5%) and then bacterial culture (26.1%). In erosive disorders the BUT gave the highest frequency ofpositivity (78.3%),followed by histological examination (67.4%), and then bacterial culture (41.3%) but in non-erosive disorders histological examination gave the highest positive results (76.1%) followed by BUT (58.7%) and bacterial culture (10.9%). The overall sensitivities of BUT, histology and bacterial culture of H.pylori were 77.8%, 81.5% and 29.6% respectively. Serologically the anti-H.pylori IgG test yielded the highest frequency of positive results (80.4%), followed by HpSA test (66.7%) and the least positive was anti-H.pylori IgM test (65.2%). In the light of the gold standard tests used (biopsy-related tests), the validity of anti-H.pylori IgG test, anti-H.pylori IgM test and HpSA test were determined; the sensitivities being 79%, 65.4% and 75% respectively and their specificities were 9.1%, 36.4% and 66.7% respectively. The positive and negative predictive values, the positive and negative likelihood ratios of serological tests were also evaluated.

Conclusion: The most sensitive invasive test (biopsy related) and noninvasive (serological) tests were histological examination and IgG immunochromatography card tests respectively.

Current guidelines for dyspepsia management

BACKGROUND

Dyspepsia is a global problem and the management of the condition remains a considerable burden on health care resources. Many countries have adopted evidence-based guidelines for the management of the condition, in an attempt to reduce health care expenditure. This article compares and contrasts dyspepsia management guidelines from several geographical regions.

METHODS

We obtained current guidelines from five regions and examined composition of guideline development groups, methodology involved, definition of dyspepsia utilized, and recommendations in terms of first-line approach, age cutoff for prompt upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, and subsequent role of endoscopy.

RESULTS

All guidelines carried out extensive reviews of the literature to inform their recommendations. The majority used a definition of dyspepsia in line with the Rome criteria. All agreed that alarm symptoms at any age warranted prompt endoscopy, and most recommended an age cutoff of between 50 and 55 years for endoscopy as an initial management strategy. In young patients without alarm symptoms, either 'test and treat' or empirical acid suppression were the initial management strategies of choice in all cases, with only one guideline recommending mandatory endoscopy in those whose symptoms failed to settle after this approach.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite varying composition of guideline development groups and the different geographical regions, the recommendation of all the guidelines were remarkably similar, reflecting the quality of research conducted by the GI community as a whole.

Dyspepsia and Helicobacter pylori

Dyspepsia is defined as a chronic or recurrent pain centered in the upper abdomen. Dyspeptic symptoms have a high prevalence in the population and represent a common reason for patients to see a primary care physician. Therefore, dyspepsia displays a major health care burden and produces high socioeconomic costs. The etiology of dyspeptic symptoms is various and complex and has opened a wide spectrum of putative mechanisms. In a subset of patients dyspeptic symptoms are likely to originate from Helicobacter pylori infection. Population-based studies have demonstrated that H. pylori is detected more frequently in dyspeptic patients compared to controls. H. pylori eradication therapy gives modest but significant benefit in non-ulcer dyspepsia and leads to long-term symptom improvement. It also reduces the risk of developing peptic ulcer disease and other H. pylori-related gastric pathologies (i.e. atrophic gastritis, gastric cancer). The main therapeutic strategy for managing dyspepsia in patients under the age of 45 years is 'test and treat'. H. pylori eradication is recommended in patients with dyspepsia and no other gastroduodenal abnormalities than H. pylori induced gastritis. In patients presenting with alarm features a prompt upper endoscopy should be performed to exclude peptic ulcer disease, esophageal and gastric malignancies or other more rare upper gastrointestinal diseases.

Hospital admissions and primary care attendances for nonulcer dyspepsia, reflux oesophagitis and peptic ulcer in Scotland 1981-2004

AIM

The aim of this study was to assess the recent time trends of oesophageal disorders, nonulcer dyspepsia, gastric and duodenal ulcer in the light of such risk factors as age, sex, deprivation and urban versus rural residence.

METHODS

The Scottish National Health Service provided diagnostic data on all admissions to all Scottish hospitals from 1981 to 2004 and patient visits to general practitioners (GP) from 1998 to 2004.

RESULTS

In the last quarter of a century in Scotland, there were sevenfold increases in annual hospitalizations for dyspepsia (from 900 to 6000 per million population) and for oesophageal disorders (from 500 to 3700). Annual hospitalisations for gastric and duodenal ulcer changed from 590 to 1100 and from 1400 to 1130 per million population, respectively. The variation of hospital admissions for dyspepsia among various Scottish regions closely matched the variation of deprivation among them. GP contacts for dyspepsia (27 600 per million population) and oesophageal disorders (10,000) were common compared with relatively infrequent contacts for gastric ulcer (500) and duodenal ulcer (1200). Dyspepsia showed a rise of GP contacts with increasing scores of deprivation. This rise occurred similarly among urban and rural residents and applied to data for each individual year between 1998 until 2004. None of the other diagnoses showed any clear-cut correlation with grade of deprivation.

CONCLUSION

Gastric and duodenal ulcer are relatively rare causes for hospital admission as well as outpatient physician visits. Their former predominant role in upper gastrointestinal disease has been replaced by gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and nonulcer dyspepsia, both increasing sevenfold in the last quarter of a century.

Patterns of endoscopy in the United States: analysis of data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the National Endoscopic Database

BACKGROUND

Patterns of GI endoscopy are influenced by the underlying epidemiology of GI disease, as well as by policy and practice guidelines.

OBJECTIVE

To compare practice patterns of GI endoscopy between two large national databases of the United States.

DESIGN

Descriptive database analysis.

SETTING

A 5% sample of the entire U.S. Medicare population (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CMS data files) and endoscopic data repository of U.S. gastroenterology practices (Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative, CORI database) from 1999 to 2003.

PATIENTS

The study population included 1,121,215 Medicare and 635,573 CORI patients undergoing various types of GI endoscopy.

INTERVENTIONS

EGD, colonoscopy, and flexible sigmoidoscopy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Patient demographics, endoscopic diagnoses, time trends of diagnoses.

RESULTS

A colonoscopy was the most common endoscopic procedure performed (CMS 53%, CORI 58%), followed by an EGD (37%, 32%), and a flexible sigmoidoscopy (10%, 10%). In the CMS data, women accounted for 59% of the EGDs, 57% of the colonoscopies, and 56% of the flexible sigmoidoscopies, and in the CORI data, the corresponding numbers were 57%, 55%, and 54%, respectively. Compared with their distribution in the U.S. census population, nonwhite patients in both databases underwent relatively more EGDs and fewer colonoscopies. The most common upper-GI diagnosis was GERD, followed by GI bleeding, gastric ulcer, and duodenal ulcer. The most common lower-GI diagnosis was colorectal polyp. Over the period of 1999 to 2003, the rates of colorectal cancer diagnosed with colonoscopy declined.

LIMITATIONS

Only a limited amount of information about individual patients was retrievable from the electronic databases.

CONCLUSIONS

A colonoscopy is now the most common endoscopic procedure in the United States. Women undergo both upper and lower endoscopic procedures more often than men. Nonwhite patients are underrepresented in the use of colonoscopy relative to the prevalence of nonwhite persons in the U.S. population. Increased use of a colonoscopy for colon screening and surveillance has been associated with a decreased rate of cancer diagnosis.

Clinical trial: knowledge of negative Helicobacter pylori status reduces subsequent dyspepsia-related resource use

BACKGROUND

Screening for Helicobacter pylori reduces dyspepsia and dyspepsia-related costs in positive individuals.

AIMS

To assess effect of knowledge of H. pylori status on healthcare-seeking in negative individuals.

METHODS

H. pylori-negative subjects in a community screening programme were randomized to placebo triple therapy or informed of their negative H. pylori status. Dyspepsia-related resource data were extracted from primary care records at 2 years, and National Health Service reference costs were applied to calculate the total cost per subject. Proportions of individuals incurring any cost were compared using a relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Differences in costs were compared using an independent sample t-test.

RESULTS

A total of 1353 H. pylori-negative individuals were randomized to placebo whilst 1355 were informed of their infection status. In the placebo arm, 212 (16%) subsequently incurred any dyspepsia-related cost compared to 172 (13%) informed of their infection status (RR of incurring cost = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.67-0.97). Those informed of their infection status incurred lower costs (mean saving per individual = pound 11.02; 95% CI: - pound 3.52 to 25.56).

CONCLUSIONS

H. pylori-negative individuals informed of infection status sought health care for dyspepsia less often than those who were unaware. Population screening may reduce dyspepsia-related costs in uninfected, as well as infected individuals.

[Seven or ten days? Cost-effectiveness study on the duration of H. pylori treatment in primary care]

OBJECTIVE

To determine through an economic evaluation study whether it is cost-effective to extend treatment of dyspeptic patients from 7 to 10 days, distinguishing between functional dyspepsia, unexamined dyspepsia, and ulcer disease.

DESIGN

Cost-effectiveness study by means of a decision 3 comparing direct costs per patient cured with 2 strategies: a) 7 days treatment versus b) 10 days. Two-year study in the National Health System.

SETTING

Primary care.

PARTICIPANTS

One-hundred patients with peptic ulcer, functional dyspepsia, or unexamined dyspepsia who received treatment for H pylori infection.

INTERVENTIONS

H pylori eradication treatment with a proton pump inhibitor, clarithromycin, and amoxycillin for 7 or 10 days. Measurement variable: incremental cost per patient cured.

RESULTS

In peptic ulcer patients, the incremental cost per patient cured on extending the eradication treatment from 7 to 10 days was euro147 (95% CI, 121.3-162.7), whereas in patients with functional or unexamined dyspepsia, it was -euro39.8 (95% CI, -28.5 to -60.7) and -euro27.3 (95% CI, -14.92 to -52.72), respectively. The sensitivity analysis showed that the efficacy of eradication treatment (7 vs 10) was the factor that most affected the stability of the results.

CONCLUSIONS

Seven days is the most cost-effective duration of the triple therapy for eradicating H pylori in ulcer patients. However, 10 days is more cost-effective in functional dyspepsia patients or those with no prior endoscope diagnosis.

Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori: invasive and non-invasive tests

Helicobacter pylori infection can be diagnosed by invasive techniques requiring endoscopy and biopsy (e.g. histological examination, culture and rapid urease test) and by non-invasive techniques, such as serology, the urea breath test, urine/blood or detection of H. pylori antigen in stool specimen. Some non-invasive tests, such as the urea breath test and the stool antigen test, detect active infection: these are called 'active tests'. Non-invasive tests (e.g. serology, urine, near-patient tests) are markers of exposure to H. pylori but do not indicate if active infection is ongoing; these are 'passive tests'. Non-invasive test-and-treat strategies are widely recommended in the primary care setting. The choice of appropriate test depends on the pre-test probability of infection, the characteristics of the test being used and its cost-effectiveness.

Helicobacter pylori detection and antimicrobial susceptibility testing

The discovery of Helicobacter pylori in 1982 was the starting point of a revolution concerning the concepts and management of gastroduodenal diseases. It is now well accepted that the most common stomach disease, peptic ulcer disease, is an infectious disease, and all consensus conferences agree that the causative agent, H. pylori, must be treated with antibiotics. Furthermore, the concept emerged that this bacterium could be the trigger of various malignant diseases of the stomach, and it is now a model for chronic bacterial infections causing cancer. Most of the many different techniques involved in diagnosis of H. pylori infection are performed in clinical microbiology laboratories. The aim of this article is to review the current status of these methods and their application, highlighting the important progress which has been made in the past decade. Both invasive and noninvasive techniques will be reviewed.

The health economics of Helicobacter pylori infection

Economic considerations are becoming increasingly important as health care becomes more expensive. Evidence for effectiveness is usually gained from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) but often there is insufficient evidence of the costs of alternative strategies in trials. Often, therefore, economic models are needed to extrapolate data from a variety of sources to give an indication of which strategy is cost effective. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) testing and treating in a wide variety of upper gastrointestinal diseases is a good example of the application of economic analyses to health care interventions. H. pylori eradication in peptic ulcer disease is very effective with systematic reviews giving a number needed to treat of around two compared to no therapy. RCTs have also suggested that treating H. pylori is also more effective and less expensive than continuous H(2) receptor antagonist therapy and is therefore the dominant strategy in treating peptic ulcer disease. The impact of H. pylori eradication in infected patients with functional dyspepsia is less dramatic, with systematic reviews suggesting a number needed to treat of 14. Economic models suggest that in Europe H. pylori eradication is cost-effective compared to offering no treatment (e.g. in the UK we can be 95% certain this approach is cost effective if you are willing to pay $51/month free from dyspepsia). In the USA it is less certain that this is a cost-effective approach due to the higher cost of eradication therapy. H. pylori test and treat has been proposed as an alternative to early endoscopy in patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia. We have conducted an individual patient data meta-analysis of five RCTs that has addressed the cost effectiveness of this approach. Endoscopy was slightly more effective than H. pylori test and treat at relieving dyspepsia at one year but was not cost-effective as it cost $9000/dyspepsia cure at one year. Population H. pylori test and treat has been proposed as a strategy to prevent noncardia gastric cancer. RCTs have suggested this approach may be cost saving but more data are needed on whether H. pylori eradication will reduce gastric cancer mortality before this strategy can be recommended.

Helicobacter pylori eradication in long-term proton pump inhibitor users in primary care: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Two-thirds of proton pump inhibitor prescribing in the UK is for long-term therapy.

AIM

To determine the impact of eradication in long-term proton pump inhibitor users infected with Helicobacter pylori.

METHODS

A total of 184 H. pylori-positive patients were randomly assigned to true or placebo eradication therapy. The primary outcome was the change in proton pump inhibitor usage measured by prescriptions; secondary outcomes were changes of proton pump inhibitor doses, dyspepsia symptoms, general practitioner consultations and quality of life measures.

RESULTS

In the year following H. pylori eradication proton pump inhibitor prescriptions fell compared with placebo (-1.7, 95% CI: -2.3 to -1.1, P < 0.001); when adjusted to full-dose equivalent prescriptions the reduction was more marked (-2.2, 95% CI: -3.0 to -1.4, P < 0.001). Both general practitioner consultations (-1.0, 95% CI: -1.8 to -0.1, P = 0.026) and symptoms measured on the Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire (-3.1, 95% CI: -5.3 to -0.9, P = 0.005) were reduced. Quality of life and self-rating measures also favoured eradication (EQ-5D: 0.09, P = 0.08 and VAS: 5.6, P = 0.002). The Carlsson and Dent Reflux Questionnaire found no difference between groups (-0.3, P = 0.65), possibly balancing decreased overall symptoms with increased prominence of heartburn in the eradication group.

CONCLUSIONS

Helicobacter pylori eradication in infected, long-term proton pump inhibitor users in primary care reduced both the overall severity of symptoms and use of health care.