RESUMO
AIMS: We aimed to determine differences in gastroduodenal damage related to the presence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in patients starting long-term NSAID therapy. Seventy-one candidates for chronic NSAIDs therapy (33 Hp negative and 38 Hp positive) entered the study and underwent upper GI endoscopy before, and 8 and 16 weeks after, continuous NSAID therapy. RESULTS: Lanza score increased in both Hp positive and negative patients in the course of NSAID therapy (P < 0.001), being significantly higher in Hp positive than Hp negative (4.31 ± 1.33 vs 3.15 ± 1.95, P < 0.05) after 16 weeks of follow-up. In gastric mucosa, no significant difference in mean Lanza score was observed between the two groups. Duodenal ulcer was diagnosed in 18 (36.8%) Hp positive and 1 (3%) Hp negative patient (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hp is more closely related to duodenal than gastric mucosal injury in NSAID users. Risk for duodenal ulcer in Hp-infected individual increases after 4 months of NSAID therapy.