ERADICATION OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI AND ITS EFFECT IN PEPTIC-ULCER DISEASE

Since Helicobacter pylori was first cultured 10 years ago, there have been remarkable changes in our approach to the therapy of peptic ulcer disease. We now know that 90% of duodenal ulcer patients and 70% of a ll gastric ulcer patients are infected with H. pylori. Evidence is pre sented that the relapse rate of both duodenal and gastric ulcers can b e substantially reduced if the bacterium is eradicated from the patien ts stomach. Some of the anti-H. pylori eradication regimens currently available are discussed, with particular emphasis on the relative meri ts of standard triple therapy and an omeprazole/amoxycillin combinatio n.