REVIEW - HELICOBACTER-PYLORI - CURRENT ISSUES AND NEW DIRECTIONS

The present review outlines current management issues and controversie s related to Helicobacter pylori infection. Clearance of this infectio n markedly reduces the likelihood of duodenal and gastric ulcer recurr ence and may result in the regression of low grade primary gastric lym phoma. Recent therapeutic advances have seen the development of simple r drug regimens to treat H. pylori that have fewer side effects and ar e shorter in duration. Clearance of the infection can be achieved in 8 0-95% of patients treated, depending on the drug regimen used, complia nce with medications and antibiotic sensitivity. In developed nations reinfection is uncommon after successful treatment. Data do not curren tly support treatment of this infection for non-ulcer dyspepsia or for the prevention of gastric cancer, although whether certain individual s or populations may benefit from such treatment remains to be clarifi ed.