[Does eliminating Helicobacter pylori mean the healing of the duodenal ulcer? The results of a prospective study in Spain].

AIM: To evaluate the predictive value of Helicobacter pylori eradication in the healing of duodenal ulcer.

METHODS

A prospective study of 92 duodenal ulcer patients (diagnosed by endoscopy) with H. pylori infection demonstrated by rapid urease test, positive histology and culture. They were treated with a 7-day regimen of lansoprazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin. Healing was evaluated in a follow-up gastroscopy performed one month after treatment had finished. Eradication was defined as negative urease test, histology and culture at 30 days and negative urea breath test at 60 days.

RESULTS

Duodenal ulcer healing was observed in 85 patients (92.4%, CI 85-96.9). Eradication of H. pylori infection was the only variable independently associated with ulcer healing. Healing was observed in 97.2% of patients with H. pylori eradication versus 75% of those with persistent infection (p < 0.01; OR = 11.6; CI 95% = 2.06-65.9).

CONCLUSION

Eliminating H. pylori infection favors duodenal ulcer healing and, from a clinical point of view, confirmation of H. pylori eradication almost always means healing of duodenal ulcer.