Is gastroduodenitis a cause of chronic dyspepsia?

The role of Helicobacter pylori infection in causing chronic dyspepsia is in need of further clarification. More well-designed prospective studies are necessary to ascertain whether and to what extent H. pylori-related chronic inflammation in the stomach and the duodenum causes dyspeptic symptoms; whether and to what extent there is a symptom cluster characteristic for H. pylori-related gastroduodenitis; whether and to what extent H. pylori infection is demonstrable in the chronic dyspeptic population; and whether and to what extent H. pylori infection interferes with gastrin homoeostasis and acid secretion or induces motor disturbances. Well-designed prospective H. pylori-eradication studies may further contribute in unravelling its role in chronic dyspepsia, especially in patients with active polymorphonuclear gastroduodenitis and hyperacidity.