Helicobacter pylori in patients with systemic sclerosis: detection with the 13C-urea breath test and eradication

In patients with systemic sclerosis peristaltic abnormalities may delay gastric emptying, giving rise to bacterial overgrowth, including possibly Helicobacter pylori (HP). Infection with Helicobacter is an important risk factor for esophageal and gastric diseases, including esophagitis, gastritis and gastric cancer. The purpose of this prospective study was to assess gastric HP infection in patients with systemic sclerosis. In 12 patients with systemic sclerosis the newly introduced breath test with 13C-labelled urea was used for indirect detection of gastric urease activity due to HP infection. Five out of 12 patients gave Helicobacter-positive results (42%); 7 patients were negative for Helicobacter colonization (58%). Thus, the risk for gastric diseases caused by HP infection is enhanced in patients with systemic sclerosis compared with white healthy, asymptomatic persons examined in other studies. Helicobacter-positive patients were treated with 2 x 20 mg omeprazole and 4 x 500 mg amoxicillin over 14 days. Afterwards the 13C-urea breath test was repeated and showed negative results for Helicobacter in all systemic sclerosis patients treated. Dual therapy with omeprazole and amoxicillin therapy effectively eradicated HP. The 13C-urea breath test did not cause any side-effects and is therefore considered to be a non-invasive, non-toxic and safe method for the diagnosis and therapeutic control of Helicobacter-status.