Is Helicobacter pylori Eradication Sufficient for Bleeding Ulcers?

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with peptic ulcer disease, and eradication of the infection reduces ulcer recurrence. The need for maintenance acid-reduction therapy in this setting is controversial.

To explore this issue, investigators at 10 university hospitals in Spain prospectively studied 1000 patients with endoscopically documented bleeding peptic ulcers and H. pylori infection. Participants were treated until eradication of the infection was confirmed by breath test. Thereafter, they received no acid-reduction therapy and were told not to take aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They returned at 1-year intervals for a clinical examination and a breath test for H. pylori. If signs or symptoms of upper …