The economics of eradicating Helicobacter pylori infection in duodenal ulcer disease.

Approximately 5 million people in the United States suffer from peptic ulcer disease, making this an important clinical problem. In addition to the huge costs associated with treatment, peptic ulcer disease also results in losses to industry as a result of loss of productivity. Infection with Helicobacter pylori is now accepted as the cause of duodenal ulcer in the majority of patients. Eradication of this infection leads to healing of the ulcer and prevents disease recurrence. A number of treatment regimens have been described for the eradication of H. pylori, but there is uncertainty regarding the optimum regimen to be used. Economic analyses allow an assessment of the probable costs associated with existing and new treatment strategies. In an era of increasing cost awareness, the results of such analyses are becoming increasingly important determinants of management strategies for the treatment of H. pylori infection.