Helicobacter pylori and nonmalignant upper gastrointestinal diseases

The review of the most important recent publications concerning the relation of Helicobacter pylori with peptic ulcer disease (PUD), noninvestigated and functional dyspepsia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is presented. H. pylori remains the main etiopathogenetic factor in complicated and uncomplicated PUD. Nevertheless, the role of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin is increasing. The novel data did not confirm that PUD caused by NSAIDs and aspirin is less symptomatic. The role of glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, and antidepressants seems to be of some importance. Although the involvement of H. pylori in functional dyspepsia is controversial, several data support the importance of H. pylori-induced gastritis in the pathogenesis of dyspeptic symptoms. Recent interventional studies have reported that H. pylori eradication improves dyspepsia mainly in areas with a high prevalence of this bacterium. Novel data regarding the relation of gastrointestinal peptides, ghrelin and obestatin, with H. pylori infection are also presented. Intriguing findings support the involvement of the gastric microbiota in the causation of chronic functional dyspepsia. Finally, some data concerning negative, positive, or neutral associations of H. pylori with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were published. In this context, today there is no evidence indicating that H. pylori eradication could worsen the symptoms or the course of GERD.