Review article: Helicobacter pylori and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Abstract

Epidemiological studies demonstrate a negative association between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and its complications. This might represent a protective effect because of the tendency for H. pylori infection to lower gastric acid secretion with advancing age. However, studies of the effect of H. pylori eradication on gastro-oesophageal reflux disease have failed to show any worsening of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms. Several interactions between H. pylori and proton-pump inhibitor therapy used to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux disease need to be considered. Helicobacter pylori infection improves the control of gastric acidity by proton-pump inhibitors and this produces a small advantage in clinical control of reflux disease. The infection prevents rebound acid hypersecretion occurring when proton-pump inhibitor therapy is discontinued. However, concerns have been expressed that the body gastritis induced by proton-pump inhibitor therapy in H. pylori-infected subjects might increase the risk of gastric cancer. At present, it is unclear whether H. pylori should be eradicated in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients.

• Authors: B Delaney, K McColl
• Journal: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics (Aliment Pharmacol Ther) Vol. 22 Suppl 1 Pg. 32-40 (Aug 2005) ISSN: 0269-2813 [Print] England
• PMID: 16042657 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Proton Pump Inhibitors

Topics

• Duodenal Ulcer (microbiology)
• Dyspepsia (microbiology)
• Gastric Acid (metabolism)
• Gastritis (microbiology)
• Gastroesophageal Reflux (drug therapy, epidemiology, microbiology)
• Helicobacter Infections (epidemiology, physiopathology)
• Helicobacter pylori
• Humans
• Proton Pump Inhibitors