Topic Highlight
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. May 7, 2006; 12(17): 2677-2680
Published online May 7, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i17.2677
Role of Helicobacter pylori in functional dyspepsia
Colm O’Morain
Colm O’Morain, Consultant Gastroen-terologist Trinity College Dublin, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland
Correspondence to: Colm O’Morain, Professor of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland. gastroenterology@amnch.ie
Telephone: +353-1-4143851 Fax: +353-1-4143850
Received: March 3, 2006
Revised: March 12, 2006
Accepted: March 27, 2006
Published online: May 7, 2006
Abstract

The aetiology of dyspepsia is unknown in the majority of patients. Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is the cause in a subset of patients. A non invasive test to assess the presence of H pylori is recommended in the management of patients under the age of 50 presenting to a family practitioner with dyspepsia. A urea breath test or a stool antigen test are the most reliable non invasive tests. Eradication of H pylori will reduce the risk to the patient with dyspepsia of developing a peptic ulcer, reduce the complication rate if prescribed non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and later reduce the risk of gastric cancer. The recommended treatment for non ulcer dyspepsia associated with a H pylori infection should be a 10-d course of treatment with a PPI and two antibiotics. Treatment efficacy should be assessed four weeks after completing treatment with a urea breath test or a stool antigen test.

Keywords: Functional dyspepsia; Helicobacter pylori; Triple therapy; Urea breath test