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Some studies in Japan have suggested that body-mass index (BMI) increases after eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection. To examine this issue further, investigators in the U.K. conducted an industry-funded, population-based, randomized, controlled trial involving 10,537 people who were unselected for dyspepsia symptoms and screened for H. pylori infection. Of the 1636 individuals found to be infected, 1558 were randomized to receive eradication therapy (ranitidine bismuth citrate 400 mg and clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily for 2 weeks) or placebo. Weight and dyspepsia symptoms were determined at baseline and 6 months after randomization.
At 6-month follow-up, the mean BMI had increased from 27.5 to 27.8 kg/m2 in the treatment group an…