HIGHER PREVALENCE OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION IN DYSPEPTIC PATIENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE GASTRIC PHASE-III OF THE MIGRATING MOTOR COMPLEX

Background: So far, only a few and conflicting data are available abou t the possible correlation between Helicobacter pylori infection and d isorders of gastrointestinal motility. Methods: In the present study w e have evaluated the interdigestive manometric recordings from the sto mach and duodenum of 100 consecutive dyspeptic patients, to ascertain whether the absence of phase III of the migrating motor complex (MMC) might be associated with a different prevalence of H. pylori infection . All the patients who entered a protocol study for functional dyspeps ia had endoscopic examinations of the upper gastrointestinal tract wit h at least two biopsy specimens from both the gastric antrum and corpu s (for histologic evaluation, with search for Helicobacter-like organi sms). Then, 240-min interdigestive manometric recordings, with evaluat ion of activity fronts (phase III of the MMC), starting from the stoma ch and the duodenum, were made. Results and Conclusions: The data obta ined suggest that in patients without evidence of gastric phase III of MMC the prevalence of H. pylori colonization is significantly (P = 0. 032) higher.