The effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy on gastric antral myoelectrical activity and gastric emptying in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia

Background: Dysmotility of the gastroduodenal region and delayed gastric em ptying have been considered to play roles in non-ulcer dyspepsia. In additi on, it has been reported that Helicobacter pylori induced inflammation of t he gastric mucosa may affect gastric motility. Aim: To evaluate the effects of H. pylori eradication therapy on gastrointe stinal motility and symptoms in non-ulcer dyspepsia patients. Methods: A total of 46 non-ulcer dyspepsia patients were examined for gastr ic emptying, antral myoelectrical activity, H. pylori infection, and sympto m scores. In H. pylori-positive non-ulcer dyspepsia patients, gastric empty ing, antral myoelectrical activity, and symptom scores were also analysed 2 months after being cured of H. pylori infection. Results: A total of 67.4% of the non-ulcer dyspepsia patients were H. pylor i-positive. Both abnormal gastric emptying and antral myoelectrical activit y were observed in non-ulcer dyspepsia patients. H. pylori-positive non-ulc er dyspepsia patients were divided into three groups according to their gas tric emptying: the delayed gastric emptying group, the normal gastric empty ing group, and the rapid gastric emptying group. In the delayed and rapid g astric emptying groups, the gastric emptying and symptom scores were improv ed significantly by the eradication therapy. However, there was no improvem ent in symptom scores in the normal gastric emptying non-ulcer dyspepsia gr oup by the eradication therapy. Conclusions: Disturbed gastric emptying and antral myoelectrical activity p lay roles in non-ulcer dyspepsia. Helicobacter pylori infection, inducing d isturbed gastric emptying, may cause some non-ulcer dyspepsia symptoms. Gas tric emptying and symptom scores are improved by H. pylori eradication ther apy in non-ulcer dyspepsia patients with disturbed gastric emptying, H. pyl ori eradication therapy is effective in H. pylori-positive non-ulcer dyspep sia patients with disturbed gastric emptying.