H pylori eradication: no net benefit in heartburn or reflux
Treatment to eradicate Helicobacter pylori has no net benefit for patients with heartburn or gastro-oesophageal reflux, according to a study by UK researchers.
The researchers note that heartburn and gastro-oesophageal reflux are
common symptoms in the population and postulate that H pylori infection,
also common, might affect reflux oesophagitis by affecting secretion
of gastric acid.
They invited all people aged 20–59 years registered with seven
general practices in Bristol to participate in the study. Those
taking part (over 10,000 people) had a breath test for active H pylori infection and
completed a questionnaire describing the
frequency and severity of any epigastric
pain, heartburn and gastro-oesophageal
reflux.
At baseline, H pylori infection was associated with increased prevalence
of heartburn (odds ratio 1.14) but not reflux (1.05).
In participants with H pylori infection, active treatment to eradicate
the bacterium had no effect on the overall prevalence of
heartburn (0.99) or reflux (1.04) and did not
improve pre-existing symptoms (BMJ 2004;328:1417). |
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