[Healing peptic ulcer disease with therapy of Helicobacter pylori infection--an overview].

Over the last 15 years several new aspects in the pathogenesis and basic changes in therapeutic strategies for healing of peptic ulcers have been introduced. The discovery of Helicobacter pylori, the possibility of treatment of the infection and consecutive healing of peptic ulcer disease have changed the understanding of the pathophysiology of the peptic ulcer disease. Most gastric or duodenal ulcers are based on Helicobacter pylori infection. Newer therapeutic strategies to cure Helicobacter pylori infection consist of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) based triple therapy, containing in addition two antibiotics chosen from clarithromycin, amoxicillin and metronidazole, administered over 7 days. The other main cause of gastroduodenal ulcers are non-steroidal antirheumatic drugs or aspirin intake. PPI are therapeutic strategies of choice for treatment of such lesions. Main topics of this overview are the principles and the therapeutic proceeding in the management of Helicobacter pylori-associated peptic ulcer disease. The differences between duodenal and gastric ulcer are especially dealt with.