Helicobacter pylori eradication does not exacerbate reflux symptoms in gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroenterology. 2001 Nov;121(5):1120-6. doi: 10.1053/gast.2001.29332.

Abstract

Background & aims: Observational studies have suggested that Helicobacter pylori may protect against gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), but these results could be due to bias or confounding factors. We addressed this in a prospective, double blind, randomized, controlled trial.

Methods: H. pylori-positive patients with at least a 1-year history of heartburn with a normal endoscopy or grade A esophagitis were recruited. Patients were randomized to 20 mg omeprazole, 250 mg clarithromycin, and 500 mg tinidazole twice a day for 1 week or 20 mg omeprazole twice a day and identical placebos. A second concurrently recruited control group of H. pylori-negative patients were given open label 20 mg omeprazole twice a day for 1 week. All patients received 20 mg omeprazole twice a day for the following 3 weeks and 20 mg omeprazole once daily for a further 4 weeks. Omeprazole was discontinued at 8 weeks and patients were followed up for a further 10 months. A relapse was defined as moderate or severe reflux symptoms. H. pylori eradication was determined by 13C-urea breath test.

Results: The H. pylori-positive cases were randomized to antibiotics (n = 93) or placebo (n = 97). Relapse of GERD occurred in 83% of each of the antibiotic, placebo, and H. pylori-negative groups during the 12-month study period. Life tables revealed no statistical difference between the 2 H. pylori-positive groups (log rank test, P = 0.84) or between the 3 groups (log rank test, P = 0.94) in the time to first relapse. Two patients in each group developed grade B esophagitis at 12 months.

Conclusions: H. pylori eradication therapy does not seem to influence relapse rates in GERD patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Clarithromycin / administration & dosage
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / etiology*
  • Helicobacter Infections / drug therapy*
  • Helicobacter pylori / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Omeprazole / administration & dosage
  • Prospective Studies
  • Recurrence
  • Tinidazole / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Tinidazole
  • Clarithromycin
  • Omeprazole