Clinical outcomes of eradication of Helicobacter pylori in nonulcer dyspepsia in a population with a high prevalence of infection: results of a 12-month randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study.

Ninety-one Helicobacter pylori-positive patients with nonulcer dyspepsia were randomized to receive either lansoprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin or lansoprazole and placebo. A validated questionnaire assessed dyspeptic symptoms at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months. Endoscopies and biopsies were performed at baseline and at 3 and 12 months. There was an overall trend, although not statistically significant, for a benefit of H. pylori eradication. Of the patients in the antibiotics group, 16 of 46 (35%) had symptomatic improvement, versus 9 of 43 (21%) in the control group (P = 0.164). In a secondary analysis, it was found that of the patients without endoscopic gastric erosions, 15 of 34 (44%) in the antibiotics group and 5 of 33 (15%) of controls had symptomatic improvement (P = 0.015). Helicobacter pylori eradication did not prove to be clinically beneficial, although a tendency to symptomatic benefit was detected. Further studies are necessary to confirm the implications of endoscopic gastric erosions in these patients.