Brief Article
Copyright ©2010 Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 14, 2010; 16(2): 251-255
Published online Jan 14, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i2.251
Reinfection rate and endoscopic changes after successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori
Kum Hei Ryu, Sun Young Yi, Youn Ju Na, Su Jung Baik, Su Jin Yoon, Hae-Sun Jung, Hyun Joo Song
Kum Hei Ryu, Center for Cancer Prevention and Detection, National Cancer Center, Madu1-dong, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 410-769, South Korea
Sun Young Yi, Youn Ju Na, Su Jung Baik, Su Jin Yoon, Hae-Sun Jung, Hyun Joo Song, Departments of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, 911-1 Mokdong, Yancheon-gu, Seoul, 158-710, South Korea
Author contributions: Yi SY designed the study and performed the major role of collecting patients; Na YJ, Baik SJ, Yoon SJ, Jung HS and Song HJ collected patients’ data and were involved in editing the manuscript; Ryu KH was also involved in collecting the data and wrote the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Sun Young Yi, MD, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, 911-1 Mokdong, Yancheon-gu, Seoul, 158-710, South Korea. syy@ewha.ac.kr
Telephone: +82-2-26505575 Fax: +82-2-26552076
Received: September 3, 2009
Revised: November 2, 2009
Accepted: November 9, 2009
Published online: January 14, 2010
Abstract

AIM: To determine the long-term outcomes regarding reinfection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and endoscopic changes after successful H. pylori eradication.

METHODS: From June 1994 to January 2007, 186 patients (M:F = 98:88; mean age 50.0 ± 11.4 years), in whom H. pylori had been successfully eradicated, were enrolled. The mean duration of follow up was 41.2 ± 24.0 mo.

RESULTS: H. pylori reinfection occurred in 58 patients (31.2%). The average annual reinfection rate was 9.1% per patient year. No recurrence of peptic ulcer was detected at the follow up endoscopy. There were no significant differences between the H. pylori eradication regimens for the reinfection rate and no significant differences in endoscopic findings between the H. pylori-recurred group and the H. pylori-cured group.

CONCLUSION: The reinfection rate in Korea is 9.1% which represents a decreasing trend. There was no relationship between H. pylori infection status and changes in endoscopic findings. There was also no recurrence or aggravation of ulcers.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori; Eradication; Reinfection; Endoscopy