Helicobacter Pylori

Helicobacter Pylori

Overview

• Major causative factor in peptic ulcer disease.

Location

• Commonly found in the gastric antrum and may colonize other areas of the stomach and patches of gastric metaplasia in the duodenum.

Association with Gastritis and Ulcers

• Present in all patients with active type B antral gastritis.

• Found in 90-95% of those with duodenal ulcers.

• Incidence approaches 100% in gastric ulcers after excluding NSAID therapy and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Evidence of Causal Relationship

• Marked reduction in ulcer recurrence and complications post-eradication.

• Accelerated healing with acid-suppressing agents when H. pylori is eradicated concurrently.

• Prior eradication reduces gastro-duodenal ulcers in NSAID naive patients.

Associated Risks

• Increased risk of gastric cancer in the corpus and antrum.