Diffusion of knowledge of Helicobacter pylori and its practical application by Nordic clinicians

Background: The knowledge uptake by physicians in five Nordic countries abo ut Helicobacter pylori and gastrointestinal disease was studied. Methods: Q uestionnaires were sent to 1832 general practitioners (GP) and gastroentero logists (GE), and central persons were interviewed in Norway, Sweden, Denma rk, Finland, and Iceland. Results: Half the GEs had heard of H. pylori by 1 987 and had begun eradication treatment before 1991, and half the GPs had b y 1989 and 1992, respectively. By 1996 this applied to more than 90% of bot h groups. The most important information sources were national journals for GPs and international journals and conferences for GEs. More than 80% of r espondents considered H. pylori causative for peptic ulcer, less than 50% f or stomach cancer, and 10% for non-ulcer dyspepsia. Variations between coun tries were mostly small. Conclusions: GPs and GEs in the Nordic countries h ave knowledge of H. pylori, and there is broad agreement on diagnosis and t reatment, although some differences exist.