Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug gastropathy and Helicobacter pylori infection

The interest in the interaction between NSAIDs and Helicobacter pylori deri ves its importance from its potential to provide a different strategy to co mbat the common problem of NSAID-related peptic ulcers and their life threa tening complications. Studies assessing this subject have differed in almos t every aspect of their methodology including the definition of a NSAID use r as well as the types, doses, duration, and the indications for NSAID use. They also differed in their end points, the tests for the assessment of He licobacter pylori, and the regimes used for its eradication. However NSAIDs and Helicobacter pylori are known to share a number of impor tant pathogenic mechanisms, and the prevalence of the infection is high in cohorts of ulcer patients taking NSAIDs. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori using bismuth-based regimes has also been more successful and beneficial i n preventing the occurrence or relapse of NSAID-related ulcers than regimes using proton pump inhibitors.