Gastroesophageal reflux disease after Helicobacter pylori eradication in gastric ulcer patients: A one-year follow-up study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the course of gastroesophageal reflux disease in gastric ulcer patients after successful Helicobacter pylori eradication (group A), in patients with persistent infection after attempt to eradicate Helicobacter pylori (group B), and in control group without Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment (group C).
Materials and methods. Gastric ulcer patients (n=88) were assigned either to the group receiving Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment (54 patients) or to the control group (34 patients; omeprazole treatment for 4 weeks) and were followed up for 1-year or until gastric ulcer relapsed. Gastroesophageal reflux disease was diagnosed in patients who had erosive esophagitis and/or without esophagitis if they experienced heartburn and/or regurgitation at least 2 times a week and it was associated with impairment of daily activities (Genval consensus).
Results. The study was completed by 69 patients: 25 in group A, 19 in group B, and 25 in group C. At the beginning and at the end of the follow-up, gastroesophageal reflux disease was diagnosed in 10 (40%) and 9 (36%) group A patients, respectively (P>0.05); in 12 (63%) and 8 (42%) group B patients, respectively (P>0.05); and in 9 (36%) and 5 (20%) group C patients, respectively (P>0.05). At the beginning and at the end of the follow-up, reflux esophagitis was found in 3 (12%) and 5 (20%) group A patients, respectively (P>0.05); in 5 (26%) and 5 (26%) group B patients (P>0.05); in 4 (16%) and 3 (12%) group C patients (P>0.05).
Conclusion. There was no statistically significant difference regarding the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease in gastric ulcer patients after Helicobacter pylori eradication, in the patients with persistent infection after attempt to eradicate, and in the control group without Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment.