Effect of H. pylori status on gastric ulcer healing in patients continuing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory therapy and receiving treatment with lansoprazole or ranitidine.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of pretreatment Helicobacter pylori infection on gastric ulcer healing rates in patients receiving nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antisecretory medications.

METHODS

This was a pooled, prospective analysis of two identical double blind, multicenter, parallel group studies. Six hundred ninety-two patients receiving NSAIDs and with endoscopy-documented gastric ulcers were enrolled from 90 North American sites in primary care and referral centers. Patients were randomized to receive ranitidine (150 mg b.i.d.) or lansoprazole (15 mg or 30 mg once daily) for 8 wk. Ulcer healing was assessed by endoscopy at 4 and 8 wk in an intent-to-treat population. H. pylori status was determined at baseline by histology.

RESULTS

Across all three treatment groups, gastric ulcers were more likely to heal and heal faster if the individual was infected with H. pylori. Healing rates at 8 wk were statistically significantly greater among H. pylori positive patients (n = 181) than among negative patients (n = 497) (70% vs 61%, respectively; p < 0.05), especially among those with large ulcers (> 10 mm) and in younger patients (< 60 yr old). Simple healing rates (regardless of H. pylori status) were significantly better in the 15- and 30-mg lansoprazole groups than in the ranitidine group after 4 wk (46%, 54%, and 32%, respectively; p < or = 0.01) and 8 wk (66%, 74%, and 50%, respectively; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients receiving NSAIDs, gastric ulcer healing with an antisecretory agent is significantly enhanced in the presence of H. pylori infection.