Gastro-oesophageal reflux and duodenogastric reflux before and after eradication in Helicobacter pylori gastritis

Objective Helicobacter pylori and duodenogastric reflux (DGR) are both asso ciated with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. The nature of their interrelationship remains unclear. H. pylori eradication has also been reported to result in new or worsening acid gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between GO R, DGR and H. pylori infection. Method 25 patients with H. pylori gastritis underwent ambulatory 24-hour oe sophageal and gastric pHmetry and gastric bilirubin monitoring before and 1 2 weeks after H. pylori eradication, confirmed by C-14 urea breath testing (UBT). Ten healthy subjects served as a control group. Results There were no differences between patient and control groups for ga stric alkaline exposure or gastric bilirubin exposure (P > 0.25 in all cate gories), Oesophageal acid reflux was higher in the study group (P < 0.02). No differences were detected in oesophageal acid reflux, gastric alkaline e xposure, or gastric bilirubin exposure (P = 0.35, 0.18 and 0.11, respective ly) before and after eradication. Conclusions Acid GOR is not increased by H. pylori eradication. DGR in pati ents with H. pylori gastritis is similar to that in healthy, non-infected s ubjects. H. pylori eradication produces no change in GOR or DGR. In patient s with chronic gastritis, H. pylori infection and DGR appear to be independ ent of each other. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 13:535-539 (C) 2001 Lippinco tt Williams & Wilkins.