H. pylori Eradication Has Modest Effects on Dyspepsia

Helicobacter pylori infection plays a major role in peptic ulcer disease, but its significance in dyspepsia is controversial. To evaluate the efficacy of an H. pylori test-and-treat approach on the prevalence of dyspepsia, investigators in Denmark randomized 20,000 people (age range, 40-65) to undergo either screening and eradication of H. pylori infection (if present) or no treatment; 12,530 (63%) agreed to participate.

Gastrointestinal symptoms, time lost from work, and quality of life were assessed by questionnaire at study entry and 1 year later. Healthcare-resource utilization was determined from a national database. The prevalence of H. pylori infection in the test-and treat group was 17.5%. The prevalence of dyspepsia decreased from 2…