Absence of dyspeptic symptoms as a test for Helicobacter pylori eradication

• Published in: BMJ Vol. 312; no. 7027; pp. 349 - 350
• Main Authors: Phull, Perminder S, Halliday, David, Price, Ashley B, Jacyna, Meron R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London British Medical Journal Publishing Group 10-02-1996; British Medical Association; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Publishing Group; BMJ Group
• Edition: International edition
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Bacteria; Biological and medical sciences; Breath Tests; Duodenal ulcer; Duodenal Ulcer - microbiology; Dyspepsia - microbiology; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Gastroesophageal reflux; Health care; Helicobacter Infections - therapy; Helicobacter pylori; Humans; Male; Medical research; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Other diseases. Semiology; Patients; Prospective Studies; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Symptoms; Ulcers; Human; Spirillales; Duodenum; Dyspepsia; Spirillaceae; Eradication; Result; Treatment; Helicobacter pylori; Digestive diseases; Bacteria; Intestinal disease; Ulcer
• ISSN: 0959-8138; 0959-8146; 1468-5833; 1756-1833
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.312.7027.349

All patients were reviewed one and six months after completion of treatment, when the urea breath test was performed and data collected on dyspeptic symptoms using the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale. 5 Patients were asked to grade epigastric discomfort, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and wind on a severity scale of 0-3 (nil, mild, moderate, severe). Breath test negative (n=80) Breath test positive (n=32) Dyspeptic symptoms 1 month 6 months 1 month 6 months Epigastric discomfort 9 (11.2) 0 (0) 16 (50) 29 (90.6) Heartburn 3 (3.8) 2 (2.5) 5 (15.6) 6 (18.8) Nausea 1 (1.3) 0 (0) 8 (25) 10 (31.3) Vomiting 0 (0) 0 (0) 5 (15.6) 6 (18.8) Wind 1 (1.3) 0 (0) 7 (21.9) 10 (31.3) All symptoms 10 (12.5) 2 (2.5) 18 (56.3) 29 (90.6) Comment Our results suggest that in patients with duodenal ulcer a conventional test to assess whether H pylori has been eradicated after treatment may not be necessary.