Lack of association of Helicobacter pylori infection with gastric hypersensitivity or delayed gastric emptying in functional dyspepsia

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. py lori infection and gastric sensitivity to distention or gastric emptying ra te to define the role of H. pylori in the pathogenesis of functional dyspep sia. METHODS: Gastric barostat, gastric emptying scintigraphy, and C-13 urea bre ath test were performed in 34 consecutive patients with functional dyspepsi a. RESULTS: Between H. pylori-positive and -negative patients with functional dyspepsia, there were no significant differences in basal tone (57.2 +/- 15 .0 mi vs 66.8 +/- 18.3 mi), compliance (41.0 +/- 11.2 ml/mm Hg Ets 38.2 +/- 11.8 ml/mm Hg), threshold of first sense (3.6 +/- 2.7 mm Hg vs 2.3 +/- 1.5 mm Hg), threshold of abdominal discomfort (9.4 +/- 4.0 mm HE vs 7.3 +/- 1. 9 mm Hg), and postprandial receptive relaxation (115.4 +/- 89.7 mi vs 99.0 +/- 88.7 mi), measured by gastric barostat. Half gastric emptying time (88. 6 +/- 24.5 min vs 91.4 +/- 21.6 min) and retention rate at 120 min (32.8 +/ - 17.8% vs 41.9 +/- 20.1%) were also similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: H. pylori infection was not associated with gastric hypersensit ivity to distention or delayed gastric emptying. (C) 1999 by Am. Cell. of G astroenterology.