clinical aspects of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy in peptic ulcer disease

Background and aims : Although the role of H. pylori in peptic ulcer disease is no longer in dispute, certain aspects of eradication therapy in this condition have yet to be settled. Uncertainties still surround the relationship between Helicobacter pylori status and ulcer healing, the efficacy of eradication therapy in alleviating acute symptoms and healing ulcers, and the prognosis after eradication with respect to recurrence of symptoms, ulcers and complications. The present literature review, encompassing studies published up to October 1995, specifically addresses these issues.
Results : Pooled data show that eradication therapy heals 90% of duodenal ulcers and 85% of gastric ulcers, while individual studies repeatedly confirm that it is more effective at healing ulcers than conventional treatment with anti-secretory drugs. Recent reports indicate that triple therapy regimens for 1 week, provided they include an anti-secretory drug, are sufficient to achieve high rates of healing and rapid symptom relief. A detailed analysis of the data, particularly those from studies reporting healing rates in relation to H. pylori status after eradication therapy, provides strong evidence that eradication of H. pylori produces ulcer healing. Follow-up studies show that ulcer recurrence and complications are rare after eradication treatment in patients with either gastric or duodenal ulcer disease. However, while ulcer symptoms are infrequent during follow-up, a proportion of patients appear to develop gastrooesophageal reflux after eradication.
Conclusions : H. pylori eradication is highly effective in promoting ulcer healing and preventing subsequent ulcer recurrence. These beneficial effects of eradication therapy are observed in patients with either gastric or duodenal ulcers which are associated with H. pylori infection.     

改良序贯疗法在溃疡活动期根除幽门螺杆菌疗效观察

目的：观察改良序贯疗法在溃疡活动期根除幽门螺杆菌（Hp）的疗效。方法：将确诊为Hp阳性的90例患者分两组,其中标准三联治疗方案45例,奥美拉唑静脉点滴＋克拉霉素＋阿莫西林,每日2次口服,共10d;改良序贯疗法方案45例,前5d奥美拉唑＋左氧氟沙星静脉点滴,后5d奥美拉唑静脉点滴＋阿莫西林＋甲硝唑,每日2次口服。疗程结束后4周复查Hp检测。结果：三联疗法组Hp根除率为80.0%（36/45）,序贯疗法组Hp根除率为95.6%（43/45）,两组疗效比较,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论：改良序贯疗法在根除溃疡活动期Hp感染疗效上明显优于标准三联疗法,可以达到尽早、尽快、有效地根除Hp的目的。     

Impact of intravenous omeprazole on Helicobacter pylori eradication by triple therapy in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding

AIM: To test the impact of intravenous omeprazole on Helicobacter pylori eradication for bleeding peptic ulcers. METHODS: A total of 175 H. pylori-infected patients with bleeding peptic ulcers were randomized into either an omeprazole group or a ranitidine group, receiving intravenous omeprazole or ranitidine for 3 days after endoscopy. Afterwards, 1-week triple therapy was used to eradicate H. pylori for both groups. Six weeks later, either a 13C-urea breath test or follow-up endoscopy was performed to assess the success of H. pylori eradication. RESULTS: The rebleeding rate was lower in the omeprazole group vs. the ranitidine group (6% vs. 17%, P < 0.05). The H. pylori eradication rate was higher in the omeprazole group (intention-to-treat analysis: 83% vs. 66%, P < 0.05; per protocol analysis: 93% vs. 80%, P < 0.05). For patients with duodenal ulcers, the per protocol H. pylori eradication rate of the omeprazole group was higher than that of the ranitidine group (93% vs. 73%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous omeprazole can decrease the risk of rebleeding of peptic ulcers. For duodenal ulcers, in particular, intravenous omeprazole may even improve the H. pylori eradication rate of the subsequent triple therapy.     

序贯疗法治疗十二指肠溃疡穿孔幽门螺杆菌感染的疗效

目的研究序贯疗法与标准三联药物疗法治疗幽门螺杆菌感染的根除率之间的差异。方法根据胃镜检查及尿素酶试验筛选幽门螺旋杆菌感染的十二指肠溃疡穿孔患者61例,随机分成两组,分别接受标准的三联药物疗法或序贯疗法。标准三联药物疗法包括奥美拉唑,克拉霉素和阿莫西林,疗程10d。序贯疗法包括奥美拉唑和阿莫西林或前5d口服奥美拉唑和阿莫西林,后5d改用克拉霉素。2个月后利用胃镜检查评估每个疗程的根除率及不良反应。结果标准三联疗法和序贯疗法的根除率分别为83.3%和90.3%(P=0.473)。序贯疗法的费用较低,两组的不良反应发生率相似。结论序贯疗法和标准三联疗法根除幽门螺旋杆菌的疗效相似,但序贯疗法比较经济可替代标准三联疗法。     

序贯疗法与四联疗法治疗幽门螺杆菌阳性消化性溃疡的疗效比较

目的比较序贯疗法与四联疗法治疗幽门螺杆菌（Hp）阳性消化性溃疡疗效及Hp根除率。方法采用前瞻性的方法,将120例消化性溃疡患者按单双号随机分为治疗组与对照组各60例,治疗组采用序贯疗法,对照组采用四联疗法。结果治疗组与对照组总有效率分别为86．7％和91．7％,两组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。经检测,治疗组Hp根除率90．0％,对照组Hp根除率85．0％,两组Hp根除率差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论序贯疗法治疗消化性溃疡的有效率和Hp根除率较四联疗法无明显差异,可作为Hp感染初治患者的一线方案。     

Third line treatment for Helicobacter pylori: a prospective, culture-guided study in peptic ulcer patients

BACKGROUND: A third line treatment is needed in roughly 5% of patients infected with Helicobacter pylori. Few data have been reported on efficacy of treatment regimens in these patients. METHODS: A prospective trial was designed to study the effectiveness of third line treatment of H. pylori infection in ulcer patients. Two-week quadruple, culture-guided, combinations were used in 31 consecutive patients. Susceptibility to metronidazole and clarithromycin were studied by E-test, and thereafter a predetermined treatment regimen was used. Compliance was evaluated by pill count, and eradication defined by negative urea breath test at 6 weeks. RESULTS: Two main quadruple regimens were used in 29 patients. In spite of good compliance, the combination of omeprazole, tetracycline, bismuth and clarithromycin (OTBC) showed an eradication rate (per protocol analysis) of 36% (five out of 14; CI: 12.8-64.9), and if amoxycillin was used (OTBA) the rate was 67% (eight out of 12; CI: 34.9-90.1). The difference was not significant. No clinical factor was found to be associated with failure to eradicate. CONCLUSIONS: Third line treatment often fails to eradicate H. pylori infection. New strategies need to be developed and tested for this common clinical situation.     

Recurrence of peptic ulcer in uraemic and non-uraemic patients after Helicobacter pylori eradication: a 2-year study

BACKGROUND: The role of Helicobacter pylori in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease in patients with uraemia remains unclear. AIM: To evaluate the long-term effect of H. pylori eradication in these patients. METHODS: Uraemic and non-uraemic patients with peptic ulcer were enrolled in this study. Patients having history of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use or cardiovascular disease that need aspirin use were excluded. After confirmation of H. pylori infection, they received a triple therapy and were followed up for 2 years. RESULTS: Between September 1999 and December 2005, 34 patients (41%) of the end-stage renal disease [H. pylori (+) group] and 67 (84%) of the non-uraemic patients with peptic ulcer disease (PU group) received anti-H. pylori therapy. After triple therapy, 32 (94%) from the end-stage renal disease group and 64 (96%) from the peptic ulcer group obtained successful eradication. During the 2-year follow-up, three patients in the end-stage renal disease group were excluded because of the presence of cardiovascular disease and aspirin use in two cases and died of heart failure in one case; two patients in peptic ulcer group refused follow-up. Finally, 29 uraemic and 62 non-uraemic patients had achieved the follow-up. Recurrence of peptic ulcer was more in the end-stage renal disease group than in the peptic ulcer group with intention-to-treat analysis (eight of 32, 25% vs. two of 64, 3%, P = 0.001, OR: 10.0, 95% CI: 1.979-50.540) or per-protocol analysis (eight of 29, 28% vs. two of 62, 3%, P < 0.001, OR: 11.4, 95% CI: 2.245-58.168). CONCLUSIONS: Peptic ulcer recurrence after H. pylori eradication is higher in end-stage renal disease patients with peptic ulcer than in peptic ulcer patients without renal disease. Factors aside from H. pylori play an important role in peptic ulcer recurrence in end-stage renal disease patients.     

序贯疗法治疗幽门螺杆菌阳性消化性溃疡临床体会

目的探讨序贯疗法治疗幽门螺杆菌(Hp)阳性消化性溃疡的效果。方法将Hp阳性消化性溃疡86例患者随机分组为观察组与对照组,每组43例,观察组采用序贯疗法,1～5d给予泮托拉唑40mg+阿莫西林1000mg口服,bid;6～10d给予泮托拉唑40mg+克拉霉素500mg+替硝唑500mg口服,bid;对照组给予标准三联疗法,给予泮托拉唑40mg+克拉霉素500mg+阿莫西林1000mg口服,bid,连用7d。两组均继续口服泮托拉唑40mg,qd,总疗程共28d。停药28d后复查胃镜并检测Hp,观察两组胃镜下疗效及Hp清除率。结果观察组Hp清除率为90.7%,显者优于对照组的69.8%(P<0.01),胃镜下疗效比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),均无严重不良反应。结论序贯疗法治疗Hp阳性消化性溃疡安全有效,是临床治疗Hp感染的首选方案。     

High eradication rates of Helicobacter pylori with a new sequential treatment

BACKGROUND: Eradication rates of Helicobacter pylori with standard triple therapy are disappointing, and studies from several countries confirm this poor performance. AIM: To assess the eradication rate of a new sequential treatment regimen compared with conventional triple therapy for the eradication of H. pylori infection. METHODS: One thousand and forty-nine dyspeptic patients were studied prospectively. H. pylori-infected patients were randomized to receive 10-day sequential therapy [rabeprazole (40 mg daily) plus amoxicillin (1 g twice daily) for the first 5 days, followed by rabeprazole (20 mg), clarithromycin (500 mg) and tinidazole (500 mg) twice daily for the remaining 5 days] or standard 7-day therapy [corrected] [rabeprazole (20 mg), clarithromycin (500 mg) and amoxicillin (1 g) twice daily]. H. pylori status was assessed by histology, rapid urease test and 13C-urea breath test at baseline and 6 weeks or more after completion of treatment. RESULTS: Higher eradication rates were found with the sequential regimen compared to the standard regimen (intention-to-treat: 92% vs. 74%, P < 0.0001; per protocol: 95% vs. 77%, P < 0.0001). Higher eradication rates were also seen in patients with peptic ulcer disease and non-ulcer dyspepsia. In both treatments, compliance was similar (> 90%), as was the rate of side-effects, which were mild. CONCLUSIONS: This 10-day sequential treatment regimen achieves high eradication rates in peptic ulcer disease and non-ulcer dyspepsia.     

序贯与标准三联疗法治疗幽门螺杆菌阳性消化性溃疡的临床观察

目的比较序贯与标准三联疗法根除幽门螺杆菌(Hp)以及治疗Hp阳性消化性溃疡的临床疗效,探讨影响根除Hp的因素。方法将经胃镜确诊为消化性溃疡(A期)且Hp阳性的患者90例按随机数字表达分为3组,序贯疗法A组(30例):前5d埃索美拉唑20mg,2次/d+阿莫西林1.0,2次/d,后5d埃索美拉唑镁肠溶片20mg,2次/d+克拉霉素0.5g,2次/d+替硝唑0.5g,2次/d;序贯疗法B组(30例):前5d埃索美拉唑镁肠溶片40mg,2次/d+阿莫西林1.0g,2次/d,后5d埃索美拉唑镁肠溶片40mg,2次/d+克拉霉素0.5g,2次/d+替硝唑0.5g,2次/d;标准三联疗法C组(30例):埃索美拉唑镁肠溶片20mg,2次/d+阿莫西林1.0g,2次/d+克拉霉素0.5g,2次/d,疗程10d。用药结束后至少4周复查14C-尿素呼气试验(14C-UBT),观察3组Hp根除率,同时通过问卷调查和电话随访记录患者症状缓解情况、药物不良反应,并对各组进行成本-效果分析,用Logistic回归分析方法筛选出影响HP根除结果的相关因素。结果①A、B、C3组Hp根除率分别为83%、87%和60%,C组与A、B2组间差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。②3组临床症状评分于治疗后均呈明显缓解趋势,差异无统计学意义;3组不良反应发生率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。③成本-效果分析显示A组、B组成本效果比值(C/E)均低于C组。④影响Hp根除率的相关因素分析:与年龄、既往溃疡病史、治疗分组、溃疡的部位以及胃黏膜组织快速尿素酶试验(RUT)结果有关。结论①序贯疗法治疗Hp阳性的消化性溃疡具有较高的Hp根除率。A组成本效果比更高。②年龄愈长者、既往无溃疡病史及治疗前RUT为弱阳性的十二指肠溃疡患者Hp根除率高。     

The sequential therapy regimen for Helicobacter pylori eradication

Importance of the field: Standard triple therapy (STT) is the most used treatment for Helicobater pylori infection. The prevalence of antibiotic resistance has increased substantially in recent years and there has been a corresponding decrease in efficacy.

Areas covered in this review: Bibliographical searches were performed in MEDLINE and international congresses up to 2009 for ‘Helicobacter pylori’ AND ‘sequential regimen/therapy’.

What the reader will gain: Several meta-analyses have demonstrated that sequential therapy (SQT) is more effective than STT. SQT is not affected by bacterial and host factors that have, until now, predicted the outcome of STT. Primary clarithromycin resistance is the only factor reducing the efficacy of SQT; however, even in these patients an acceptable >?75% eradication can be achieved. So far, almost all the studies have been performed in Italy. The advantages of SQT over STT should be confirmed in different countries. Whether it is necessary to provide the drugs sequentially or if the four components of SQT can be given concurrently is unclear.

Take home message: SQT is a promising new treatment approach that deserves consideration as a treatment strategy for H. pylori infection. However, further robust assessment across a much broader range of patients is required before SQT could supplant existing treatment regimens and be generally recommended in clinical practice.     

Sequential therapy versus standard triple-drug therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication: a prospective randomized study

Purpose

Eradication rates following standard triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection are declining. Recent studies, conducted in a number of countries, have shown that sequential therapy for H. pylori infection yields high cure rates.

Aim

To compare the efficacy and tolerability of a sequential regimen as a first-line treatment of H. pylori infection with a standard triple treatment regime in Morocco.

Methods

A total of 281 naive H. pylori-infected patients, confirmed by histological examination, were assigned randomly to one of two treatment groups: standard triple therapy [omeprazole (20 mg bid) + amoxicillin (1 g bid) + clarithromycin (500 mg bid) for 7 days] or sequential therapy [omeprazole (20 mg bid) + amoxicillin (1 g bid) for 5 days, followed by omeprazole (20 mg bid) + tinidazole (500 mg bid) + clarithromycin (500 mg bid) for an additional 5 days]. H. pylori eradication was checked 4–6 weeks after treatment initiation by using a ¹³C-urea breath test. Compliance and adverse events were assessed.

Results

The two groups did not differ significantly in gender, age, previous disease history, endoscopic and histological features and smoking. The intention-to-treat and per-protocol eradication rates were 65.9 and 71 % in the standard triple therapy group, and 82.8 and 89.9 % in the sequential therapy group, respectively. The eradication rate was significantly higher in the sequential therapy group than in the standard triple therapy group (p?<?0.001), There was no statistically significant difference in compliance (97.5  vs. 96.3 %) and incidence of side-effects (27.5 vs. 27.9 %) between the two groups.

Conclusions

Based on our results, we conclude that for eradication of H. pylori infection, the 10-day sequential therapy is more effective than the standard triple therapy and is equally tolerated. These results confirm those of other studies in other countries.     

H2-antagonist maintenance therapy versus Helicobacter pylori eradication in patients with chronic duodenal ulcer disease: a prospective study

Background:

Few outcome studies directly compare Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy with maintenance H₂-antagonist therapy in duodenal ulcer disease.

Aim:

To examine prospectively the efficacy of H. pylori eradication therapy with ranitidine maintenance therapy over 1 year in patients with confirmed chronic duodenal ulcer.

Methods:

One hundred and nineteen patients with active H. pylori infection were randomized to receive ranitidine, 150 mg/day initially (58 patients), or omeprazole, 40 mg/day, amoxycillin 2 g/day and metronidazole 1.2 g/day for 14 days, or omeprazole 40 mg/day and clarithromycin 1.5 g/day, for 14 days (if penicillin-allergic). Symptoms were assessed using the Gastro-intestinal System Rating Scale (GSRS) and SF36 quality of life index.

Results:

¹³C urea breath testing confirmed overall treatment success in 100% of patients (58/58) per protocol and 95.1% (58/61) on an intention-to-treat basis. At 4 and 12 months there were no differences in any GSRS symptoms between treatment groups. SF36 analysis showed a perceived health improvement at 4 and 12 months in patients who received H. pylori eradication. However, despite successful H. pylori eradication, one-fifth of patients still required antisecretory therapy.

Conclusion:

Following successful H. pylori eradication, chronic duodenal ulcer patients were at least as well symptomatically as when taking maintenance ranitidine. They perceived that their health had improved, but a subgroup was still acid-suppression dependent.

     

Arrest of chronic acid suppressant drug use after successful Helicobacter pylori eradication in patients with peptic ulcer disease: a six-month follow-up study

BACKGROUND: It remains controversial whether successful H. pylori eradication leads to relief of dyspepsia and the subsequent arrest or tapering of acid-suppressant drug therapy, or to an aggravation of acid-related dyspepsia requiring more acid-suppressant drug intake. AIM: To evaluate prospectively the effect of H. pylori eradication on the requirement of acid-suppressant drug or antacids and the evolution of dyspeptic symptoms in chronic acid-suppressant drug users with peptic ulcer disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The use of acid-suppressant drugs, rescue antacids and predominant symptoms were recorded prospectively during 24 weeks after H. pylori eradication therapy in 75 peptic ulcer disease patients. RESULTS: In 71 patients with complete follow-up, ulcers were healed at follow-up endoscopy and H. pylori was successfully eradicated. After 6 months, 93% (66 out of 71) of chronic acid-suppressant drug users had stopped acid-suppressant drug intake. The mean daily acid-suppressant drug dosage per patient decreased from 1.72 at entry to 0.03 units acid-suppressant drug (98%; P < 0.0001) during follow-up. The mean number of antacid tablets/day/patient was 0.26 during follow-up for the relief of mild inter-current dyspeptic symptoms. Medication use was not different in peptic ulcer disease patients with or without gastro-oesophageal reflux disease at baseline. The prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease decreased from 42% before to 35% after H. pylori eradication (N.S.). CONCLUSION: Successful H. pylori eradication in peptic ulcer disease patients almost completely eliminates the need for acid-suppressant drug regardless of the presence or absence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease at entry.     

序贯疗法治疗十二指肠球部溃疡幽门螺杆菌感染的临床研究

Objective To observe the curative effect of the sequential therapy in the treatment for the duodenobnlbar ulcer with Helicobacter pylori(Hp) infection.Methods 60 activity duodenobulbar ulcer (deer size ≥ 0.3cm in diameter) proved by endosoopy patients with Hp positive who were detected by 14C urea breath test were randomly divided into two groups. Both of these groups were treated with 4-week therapy: Omeprazole(20 mg twice daily) together with either Amoxicillin (0.5g twice daily) and Clarithromyein (1 g twice daily) for the first 10 days (the traditionahriple group) or Amoxicillin(1g twice daily) for the first 5 days, then Clarithromycin (0.5g twice daily) and Metronidazole (0.4g twice daily) at the second five days (the sequential group).Results The ulcer healing rates in the traditional triplegroup and the sequential group were 80% and 90%.The eradication rate of the traditional triple group was77% and that of sequential therapy was 97%.Conclusions Sequential therapy is more effective in ulcer healing and Hp eradication.     

序贯疗法治疗十二指肠球部溃疡幽门螺杆菌感染的临床研究

目的观察序贯疗法治疗十二指肠球部溃疡（DU）并幽门螺杆菌（Hp）感染的疗效。方法选择前313内经内镜检查证实为活动性DU,溃疡长径超过3ram;“碳-尿素呼气试验（14C—UBT）确诊Hp（＋）的60例患者,按随机分为两组,传统三联疗法组：奥美拉唑20rag,1日2次,疗程4周,前10天加服克拉霉素0．5g,1日2次,阿莫西林1g,1日2次;序贯疗法组：奥美拉唑20mg,1132次,疗程4周,前5天加用阿莫西林1g,1132次,第6～10天加用克拉霉素0．5g,1日2次,甲硝唑0．4g,1日2次。结果传统三联疗法组溃疡愈合率80％,Hp根除率77％;序贯疗法组溃疡愈合率90％,Hp根除率97％。结论序贯疗法具有溃疡愈合率及Hp根除率高的优点。可作为DU并Hp感染的一线治疗方案。     

The DU-MACH study: eradication of Helicobacter pylori and ulcer healing in patients with acute duodenal ulcer using omeprazole based triple therapy

AIM: To investigate the efficacy of two omeprazole triple therapies for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, ulcer healing and ulcer relapse during a 6-month treatment-free period in patients with active duodenal ulcer. METHODS: This was a double-blind, randomized study in 15 centres across Canada. Patients (n = 149) were randomized to omeprazole 20 mg once daily (O) or one of two 1-week b. d. eradication regimens: omeprazole 20 mg, metronidazole 400 mg and clarithromycin 250 mg (OMC) or omeprazole 20 mg, amoxycillin 1000 mg and clarithromycin 500 mg (OAC). All patients were treated for three additional weeks with omeprazole 20 mg once daily. Ulcer healing was assessed by endoscopy after 4 weeks of study therapy. H. pylori eradication was determined by a 13C-urea breath test and histology, performed at pre-entry, at 4 weeks after the end of all therapy and at 6 months. RESULTS: The intention-to-treat (intention-to-treat) analysis contained 146 patients and the per protocol (per protocol) analysis, 114 patients. The eradication rates were (intention-to-treat/per protocol): OMC-85% and 92%, OAC-78% and 87% and O-0% (O). Ulcer healing (intention-to-treat) was greater than 90% in all groups. The differences in the eradication and relapse rates between O vs. OMC and O vs. OAC were statistically significant (all, P < 0.001). Treatment was well tolerated and compliance was high. CONCLUSION: The OMC and OAC 1-week treatment regimens are safe and effective for eradication, healing and the prevention of relapse in duodenal ulcer patients.     

Meta-analysis: Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy vs. antisecretory non-eradication therapy for the prevention of recurrent bleeding from peptic ulcer

AIM: To perform a meta-analysis comparing the efficacy of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy vs. antisecretory non-eradication therapy for the prevention of recurrent bleeding from peptic ulcer. METHODS: A search was made of the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and several congresses for controlled clinical trials comparing the efficacy of H. pylori eradication therapy vs. antisecretory non-eradication therapy for the prevention of peptic ulcer re-bleeding. Studies with all patients taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were excluded. Extraction and quality assessment of the studies were performed by two reviewers. RESULTS: In the first meta-analysis, the mean percentage of re-bleeding in the H. pylori eradication therapy group was 4.5%, compared with 23.7% in the non-eradication therapy group without long-term antisecretory therapy [odds ratio, 0.18; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.09-0.37; 'number needed to treat' (NNT), 5; 95% CI, 4-8]. In the second meta-analysis, the re-bleeding rate in the H. pylori eradication therapy group was 1.6%, compared with 5.6% in the non-eradication therapy group with maintenance antisecretory therapy (odds ratio, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.08-0.76; NNT, 20; 95% CI, 12-100). When only patients with successful H. pylori eradication were included, the re-bleeding rate was 1%. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of H. pylori infection is more effective than antisecretory non-eradication therapy (with or without long-term maintenance antisecretory treatment) in the prevention of recurrent bleeding from peptic ulcer. Consequently, all patients with peptic ulcer bleeding should be tested for H. pylori, and eradication therapy should be prescribed to infected patients.