DUODENAL-ULCER TREATED WITH HELICOBACTER-PYLORI ERADICATION - 7-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

The long-term benefits of Helicobacter pylori-eradication treatment (H ET) in H pylori-associated duodenal ulcer are unclear. We followed up patients with duodenal ulcers from a trial of H pylori eradication in 1985-86. 63 of 78 patients (81%) were reviewed clinically and had uppe r gastrointestinal endoscopy with gastric antral biopsy. Of 35 patient s previously rendered H pylori negative, 32 (92%) remained H pylori ne gative after 7.1 years (mean). All patients initially H pylori positiv e remained infected, unless HET was given in the interim. Duodenal ulc eration was found in 20% (5 out of 25) of patients remaining H pylori- positive, compared with 3% (1 of 38) of H pylori-negative patients (p < 0 05). The reduction of duodenal ulcer relapse obtained from H pylor i eradicaton in H pylori-associated duodenal ulcer extends to at least 7 years after treatment, and is likely to be due to freedom from H py lori infection. However, duodenal ulcer may recur in patients rendered H pylori negative, due to factors other than reinfection with H pylor i.