A twelve-month follow-up after Helicobacter pylori eradication. A clinical and histological evaluation

To evaluate a twelve-month effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication, 258 consecutive out-patients with H. pylori related active duodenal ulcer were given a ten-day eradicating treatment. After healing no maintenance antiulcer medication was given. On entering the study and then 2, 6 and 12 months after the completion of therapy patients were scored for symptoms and underwent endoscopy to assess the presence of duodenal ulcer and to score antrum and corpus gastritis. Statistical analysis was performed by means of the chi 2 test. Histological eradication, defined as the inability to detect H. pylori six months after the completion of the eradication course, was proved in 85 subjects while the 123 non-eradicated ones were considered as the control group. Ulcer relapse rate and ulcer-like symptoms were significantly less frequent among eradicated than non eradicated throughout the follow-up. As compared to non eradicated, gastritis significantly improved among eradicated in both antrum and corpus. H. pylori eradication may be recommended since, by reducing ulcer relapse rate and related symptoms, there is no need for further antiulcer maintenance therapy with a significant drop in socioeconomic costs.