[Non-ulcer dyspepsia and Campylobacter pylori]

Dyspepsia, defined as chronic vague upper abdominal symptoms, is a common condition. The pathogenesis of this syndrome remains poorly understood. The etiologic role of Campylobacter pylori and associated gastritis remain controversial though this organism colonizes the gastric antrum in one third to one half of patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia. Recent studies raise the prospect that treatment with bismuth improves gastritis and is successful in treating symptoms in the Campylobacter pylori positive and negative patients. To determine if Campylobacter pylori causes dyspepsia requires proof that long term eradication of the organism heals gastritis and abolishes symptoms.