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  • Title: Assessment of symptomatic response as predictor of Helicobacter pylori status following eradication therapy in patients with ulcer.
    Author: McColl KE, el-Nujumi A, Murray LS, el-Omar EM, Dickson A, Kelman AW, Hilditch TE.
    Journal: Gut; 1998 May; 42(5):618-22. PubMed ID: 9659153.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy is routinely used for treating patients with peptic ulcer disease. AIMS: To assess the value of symptomatic response to H pylori eradication therapy as a marker of post-treatment H pylori status. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and nine dyspeptic patients with active duodenal or gastric ulceration association with H pylori infection had their symptoms measured by a validated questionnaire before and three months following H pylori eradication therapy. The symptomatic response was compared with post-treatment H pylori status as determined by the 14C urea breath test. RESULTS: An eradication rate of 84% was achieved. Of the 92 patients eradicated of H pylori, 47% experienced complete or near complete resolution of dyspepsia. Of the 17 patients in whom the infection was not eradicated, only one (6%) experienced resolution of dyspepsia. Resolution of dyspepsia was therefore a powerful predictor of eradication of H pylori with a predictive value of 98%. In contrast, persistence of dyspepsia was a weak predictor of persisting infection with a predictive value of only 25%. Excluding patients with endoscopic evidence of coexisting oesophagitis and/or retrosternal discomfort or reflux at initial presentation did not increase the predictive value of persisting dyspepsia for persisting infection. CONCLUSIONS: Complete resolution of dyspeptic symptoms is a powerful predictor of eradication of H pylori infection in ulcer patients. Persistence of symptoms is a weak predictor of persisting infection and patients with persisting dyspepsia must have their H pylori status rechecked to guide future management.
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