幽门螺杆菌感染与反流性食管炎相关关系分析

[目的]探讨幽门螺杆菌感染与反流性食管炎的相关关系。[方法]将经电子胃镜检查确诊为反流性食管炎患者90例(反流性食管炎组)及慢性胃炎患者100例(慢性胃炎组),同时经13 C尿素呼气试验法进行幽门螺杆菌检测,对比2组幽门螺杆菌感染情况。将反流性食管炎组患者根据内镜分级标准分为4级,比较各级间的幽门螺杆菌感染情况;根据临床症状程度分为轻、中、重度,比较各程度间的幽门螺杆菌感染情况。[结果]反流性食管炎组幽门螺杆菌感染率(36.7%)明显低于慢性胃炎组(65.0%),差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。反流性食管炎组不同内镜分级及不同临床症状程度者间的幽门螺杆菌感染率比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。[结论]幽门螺杆菌感染可能在反流性食管炎的发生过程中起保护作用,幽门螺杆菌与反流性食管炎及患者症状程度无相关性。     

Influence of Helicobacter pylori infection on the prevalence of reflux esophagitis in Japanese patients

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Reflux esophagitis is caused by esophageal motor dysfunction in patients with sufficient gastric acid secretion. Helicobacter pylori causes atrophic gastritis and influences gastric acid secretion. Hiatus hernia (HH) of the esophagus causes motor dysfunction in the lower esophagus. Therefore, this study aimed to test whether H. pylori infection, gastric mucosal atrophy and HH are predictive factors for reflux esophagitis. METHODS: Helicobacter pylori infection was examined in 781 patients by the measurement of serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibody, bacteriological culture and histological examination of biopsy specimens. The prevalence of HH, endoscopically identified gastric mucosal atrophy (closed- or open-type) and reflux esophagitis were investigated by reviewing endoscopic films. Investigated patients were divided into three age groups, under 49, 50-69, and over 70 years. The prevalence of esophagitis, H. pylori infection, gastric mucosal atrophy, and HH were compared to identify the possible predictive factors for reflux esophagitis by using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients with reflux esophagitis were found among the 781 investigated cases. The odds ratios of negative H. pylori infection, endoscopically identified closed-type gastric mucosal atrophy, and HH for the prevalence of reflux esophagitis were 1.342, 1.751 and 5.527, respectively. These results indicated that the presence of H. pylori infection was only a weak negative risk factor, and that HH was the most reliable endoscopic predictive factor for reflux esophagitis. CONCLUSION: Helicobacter pylori infection is a weak negative risk factor for the prevalence of reflux esophagitis, while HH is the most reliable predictive factor.     

幽门螺杆菌感染与反流性食管炎的关系

目的探讨幽门螺杆菌（Hp）感染与反流性食管炎（RE）的关系。方法对在本院消化科就诊的患者行内镜下快速尿素酶测定却感染，观察比较却阴性组、却阳性组RE的发病率。对却阳性组中经胃镜及病理切片证实为消化性溃疡的患者，进行却根除治疗，3个月后复查胃镜比较抗却治疗前后RE发病率的变化。结果却阳性组RE发病率为5．28％，却阴性组RE发病率为7．59％，二者差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。抗却治疗前后RE发病率分别为10．7％、35．7％，二者差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论①却不是RE的病因；②抗坳治疗会导致RE发病率的升高。     

Influence of Helicobacter pylori eradication on reflux esophagitis in Japanese patients

The relationship between Helicobacter pylori eradication and reflux esophagitis is controversial. We analyzed the development of reflux esophagitis and the change in the grade of pre-existing reflux esophagitis after eradication. Enrolled were 559 Japanese patients who received eradication therapy for H. pylori . The grade of reflux esophagitis by endoscopy before and after therapy was evaluated retrospectively. No esophagitis was present before eradication in 526 patients. H. pylori was and was not eradicated in 429 and 97, respectively. Reflux esophagitis developed in 40 of the eradication group and in three of the treatment failure group, with prevalence higher with successful eradication ( P  = 0.04). Successful eradication and hiatus hernia were significant risk factors for reflux esophagitis development. Twenty-seven of 33 patients with pre-existing reflux esophagitis had successful eradication and six treatment failure. The reflux esophagitis grade worsened in two (Los Angeles classification from A to B) and improved in 14 patients after eradication. With treatment failure, reflux esophagitis worsened in none and improved in three patients. There showed no significant change in the grade of pre-existing reflux esophagitis after H. pylori eradication but the sample size was too small to evaluate the difference. In conclusion, the eradication of H. pylori increases the prevalence of reflux esophagitis, and hiatus hernia was a significant risk factor for the development of reflux esophagitis.     

Helicobacter pylori infection correlates with severity of reflux esophagitis: with manometry findings

The role of Helicobacter pylori infection in the development and exacerbation of reflux esophagitis was investigated. The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection, the severity of atrophic gastritis, and esophageal motility (determined by esophageal manometry by an infusion catheter method) were assessed in patients with mild (n = 46) and severe (n = 27) reflux esophagitis and subjects without reflux (n = 28). Compared with the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in the non-reflux group, the prevalence in the mild and severe reflux groups (60.7%, 47.8%, and 14.8%, respectively) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower. Atrophic gastritis was milder in both reflux groups than in the non-reflux group. The degree of gastritis was also milder in the severe reflux group than in the mild reflux group. The esophageal sphincter pressure was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the reflux groups than in the non-reflux group, and the amplitude of primary peristalsis was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the severe reflux group than in the non-reflux group. There were no significant differences between reflux patients with and without Helicobacter pylori infection in the parameters of esophageal manometry. These data imply that a low prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection may result in a milder grade of atrophic gastritis, and consequently, exacerbate reflux esophagitis. Received: July 21, 1998 / Accepted: April 28, 1999     

Biopsy site for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with gastric cancer

Background:  Helicobacter pylori eradication is recommended in post-gastric cancer resection, but premalignant changes may prevent the detection of H. pylori . The aim of this study was to determine appropriate biopsy site for detecting H. pylori in gastric cancer patients.
Materials and Methods:  Consecutive patients (194) with gastric adenocarcinoma were prospectively enrolled. Helicobacter pylori was evaluated by serology, histology and rapid urease test. Biopsy sites included antrum lesser curvature, upper body lesser curvature (UBLC) and upper body greater curvature (UBGC). Two biopsy specimens were obtained from each site for histological examination. One additional specimen was obtained from UBGC for the rapid urease test.
Results:  The overall infection rate of H. pylori was 84.0% (95% CI 78.9–89.2). The sensitivity of histology for detecting H. pylori at various sites was: antrum (54.9%; 95% CI 45.7–63.9), UBLC (80.3%; 95% CI 72.2–87.0) and UBGC (95.1%; 95% CI 89.6–98.2). Specificities of all three biopsy sites were more than 95%. Sensitivity and specificity of the rapid urease test performed at UBGC were 96% and 100%, respectively. Sensitivities of histology decreased in correlation with increasing severity of atrophy and intestinal metaplasia (both P  < 0.001 using the chi-square test for trend). The proportions of moderate to marked atrophy/intestinal metaplasia at UBGC (12.8%/14.7%) were significantly lower than those at antrum (50.0%/57.8%, P  < 0.001 respectively) or UBLC (40.0%/48.9%, P  < 0.001 respectively).
Conclusions:  The UBGC side is the most sensitive and specific biopsy site to detect H. pylori in gastric cancer patients due to less frequent atrophy and intestinal metaplasia than at the antrum or UBLC side.     

Male sex, hiatus hernia, and Helicobacter pylori infection associated with asymptomatic erosive esophagitis

Background and Aims: Asymptomatic erosive esophagitis (AEE) is an easily forgotten subgroup of gastroesophageal reflux disease due to its lack of warning symptoms, despite having the risk of developing complications, such as bleeding, stricture, or even esophageal adenocarcinoma. Methods: A total of 2843 potentially eligible patients were screened at the health management center of Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital. A total of 1001 patients responded to the survey and gave informed consent; 998 patients who completed the reflux disease diagnostic questionnaire were enrolled. Of them, 594 patients who had no reflux symptoms were included for final analysis. The presence and severity of erosive esophagitis was graded according to the Los Angeles classification. Active infection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) was determined by the Campylo‐like organism (CLO) test during endoscopies. Results: A total of 14.5% (86/594) of asymptomatic patients had endoscopic findings of erosive esophagitis. In the univariate analysis, male sex and hiatus hernia were significantly associated with AEE. Positive CLO tests had a trend association. Based on the multivariate analysis, male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 2.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.35–3.98), hiatus hernia (OR: 4.48, 95% CI: 2.35–89.17), and positive CLO test (OR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.34–0.95) were associated with AEE, as compared to the healthy controls. Conclusions: AEE is not a rare condition, and constitutes 14.5% of the asymptomatic population. Male sex, hiatus hernia, and H. pylori infection are factors associated with AEE. These findings are not only helpful in identifying such asymptomatic patients, but also provide information to improve understanding of the relationship between H. pylori infection, reflux symptoms, and erosive esophagitis.     

Increased prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in gastric cardia of patients with reflux esophagitis: a study from Jordan

BACKGROUND: The role of H. pylori infection in GERD is highly controversial. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between reflux esophagitis and H. pylori infection in Jordanian subjects and to examine the gastric site for H. pylori that is most strongly associated with reflux esophagitis. METHODS: During endoscopy two biopsies from the cardia and another two biopsies from the antrum were taken from 100 consecutive patients with reflux esophagitis (RE group) and from a sex- and age-matched group of 50 patients, who were referred to the endoscopy unit for evaluation of upper gastrointestinal symptoms and whose endoscopic findings were normal (control group). The biopsies were examined histologically for the presence of gastritis and H. pylori. RESULTS: Antral histological gastritis, Barrett's esophagus and hiatus hernia were significantly more common in the RE group than in the control group. Out of the 100 patients, 68 (68%) in the RE group and 26 of 50 (52%) in the control group were found to have H. pylori infection. The presence of H. pylori in both antral and cardiac biopsies was significantly more frequent in patients of the RE group. Forty-four patients in the RE group had positive H. pylori in both antral and cardiac biopsies (44%), while only 12 out of 50 patients of the control group (24%) had positive H. pylori in both biopsies. In the control group the prevalence of H. pylori in the antrum was similar to that of patients of the RE group (52% vs. 59%), but colonization of H. pylori in the cardia was significantly much lower than that of the RE group (24% vs. 53%; P = 0.0007). CONCLUSIONS: The increased prevalence of H. pylori colonization in the cardia is associated with reflux esophagitis and further controlled clinical study is required to show the impact of H. pylori eradication in patients with reflux esophagitis.     

老年患者幽门螺杆菌感染与胃炎活动性相关性分析

目的探讨老年患者幽门螺杆菌(Hp)感染与胃炎活动性的相关性。方法回顾性地分析2014年1月至2014年6月于北京老年医院接受胃镜及~(13)C呼气试验检查的良性上消化道疾病患者278例,依据年龄分为年龄≥60岁(老年组)111例和年龄60岁(非老年组)167例,分别观察两组患者Hp感染情况及胃黏膜组织中性粒细胞浸润与Hp感染的关系。结果老年组与非老年组比较,Hp感染率分别为27.0%(30/1 11)和36.5%(61/167),差异无统计学意义(P0.05);中性粒细胞浸润率分别为18.9%(21/111)和29.3%(49/118),差异无统计学意义(P0.05);Hp阳性和Hp阴性患者中性粒细胞浸润分别为70.3%(64/91)和3.2%(6/187),差异有统计学意义(P0.05);Hp阳性患者老年组和非老年组中性粒细胞浸润分别为63.3%(19/30)和73.8%(45/61),中性粒细胞浸分级(轻、中、重)分别为26.3%vs 17.8%,57.9%vs 71.1%,15.8%vs11.1%,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论胃黏膜急性炎症与Hp感染相关,急性炎症分级与感染年龄无关。     

Role of bile reflux and Helicobacter pylori infection on inflammation of gastric remnant after distal gastrectomy

OBJECTIVE: The influence of the main pathogenic factors on remnant gastritis is still to be evaluated. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of bile reflux and Helicobacter pylori infection on endoscopic inflammation and histological changes of gastric remnant after distal gastrectomy. METHODS: A total of 281 patients with a more than 1‐year history of distal gastrectomy were retrospectively involved after excluding those with tumors and ulcers on endoscopy. The severity of endoscopic remnant gastritis and bile reflux were recorded during the endoscopy. The histological changes including chronic inflammation, activity, atrophy, intestinal metaplasia and H. pylori were evaluated independently. RESULTS: An endoscopic inflammation of remnant gastric mucosae was found in 81.1% (228/281) of the patients. The prevalence of H. pylori infection and bile reflux in patients with endoscopic remnant gastritis was more common than in those without gastritis (21.5%vs 0%, 88.6%vs 24.5%, P < 0.0001). The score of histological chronic inflammation was significantly higher in patients with bile reflux than in those without obvious bile reflux (1.65 vs 1.45, P = 0.02). Chronic inflammation (1.82 vs 1.57), activity (0.78 vs 0.34), atrophy (0.67 vs 0.41) and intestinal metaplasia (0.67 vs 0.27) in H. pylori‐positive patients were all significantly more severe than in H. pylori‐negative patients. CONCLUSION: Bile reflux and H. pylori infection exacerbates the severity of endoscopic remnant gastritis and chronic histological inflammation.     

Risk factors for reflux esophagitis after eradication of Helicobacter pylori

Abstract

Objective: While there is an association between successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori (HP) and reflux esophagitis (RE), risk factors associated with RE remain obscure. The aim of this study is to determine risk factors associated with the development of RE after HP eradication.

Materials and methods: Among all patients treated with successful HP eradication from 2008 to 2016, we retrospectively analyzed those who were free from RE at initial esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and who were followed up with EGD after eradication. Patients were classified according to the presence or absence of RE at the follow-up EGD. RE was defined as mucosal breaks proximal to the squamous-columnar junction. Demographic data, underlying diseases, medications and endoscopic findings at the initial EGD were compared between patients with and without RE.

Results: Among 1575 patients, 142 (9.0%) had RE at the follow-up EGD. The time interval from HP eradication until EGD ranged from 4 to 24?months. The endoscopic grade of RE was higher in males than in females. Multivariate analysis revealed that male sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–2.24), body mass index ≥25?kg/m² (OR, 2.91; 95% CI, 2.00–4.22), use of calcium channel blockers (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.12–2.55), and hiatal hernia (OR, 3.46; 95% CI, 2.41–5.00) were associated with the development of RE.

Conclusions: Calcium channel blocker use was found to be a risk factor for the development of RE after eradication of HP.     

Helicobacter pylori eradication may induce de novo, but transient and mild, reflux esophagitis: Prospective endoscopic evaluation

Backgrounds and Aim:  The effect on reflux esophagitis of eradicating Helicobacter pylori is variable and not fully defined. We previously reported that in patients who have reflux esophagitis associated with duodenal ulcer, a significant improvement in the pre-existing reflux esophagitis occurred after H. pylori was eradicated. In the present study, we asked whether H. pylori eradication leads to de novo development of reflux esophagitis in peptic ulcer patients.
Methods:  Prospective post-eradication evaluations were conducted in 1195 H. pylori -positive patients with peptic ulcer diseases who were confirmed not to have reflux esophagitis by endoscopic examination before eradication therapy. After eradication therapy, endoscopy and a urea breath test were performed yearly.
Results:  A total of 1187 patients were followed for up to 10.0 years (a mean of 3.6 years). Reflux esophagitis developed in 279 of 1000 patients cured of infection and in 26 of 187 patients who had persistent infection ( P  < 0.0001, Fisher's exact test). The esophagitis was mild (Los Angeles grade A) in most patients, transient in approximately one-half, and rarely necessitated long-term medication for the condition. Cure of infection, alcohol consumption, younger age, and high body mass index were identified as significant factors for the risk of developing non-transient reflux esophagitis.
Conclusions:  Cure of H. pylori infection may increase the risk of developing reflux esophagitis in patients with peptic ulcer, but the esophagitis is mostly mild and transient, and long-term medication is rarely required. Thus, H. pylori eradication therapy need not be withheld for fear of provoking reflux esophagitis.     

胆汁反流性胃炎患者幽门螺杆菌感染及其胃粘膜病理学表现研究*

目的 探讨胆汁反流性胃炎（BRG）患者幽门螺杆菌（Hp）感染及其胃粘膜病理学变化。方法 我院诊治的BRG患者618例和无胆汁反流的慢性浅表性胃炎（CSG）患者1486例,采用¹⁴C-尿素呼气试验、血清抗-Hp抗体检测和对组织切片行硼酸亚甲蓝染色三种方法对受试者进行Hp感染诊断,常规行胃镜检查,参照新悉尼系统标准,将组织学上胃黏膜慢性炎性反应、炎性反应活动性、萎缩和肠上皮化生的严重程度分为无、轻、中和重4个等级。结果 BRG患者Hp感染率为32.7%（202/618）,而CSG组患者为40.6%（603/1486）,两组间无显著性差异（P>0.05）;在202例Hp阳性的BRG患者中,胃粘膜轻、中、重度炎症反应发生率分别为10.9%、61.4%和27.7%,显著重于416例Hp阴性患者的40.4%、51.7%和7.9%（P<0.05）,胃粘膜淋巴滤泡形成、肠化生和活动性炎症发生率分别为15.4%、5.4%和16.8%,也显著重于Hp阴性患者的2.7%、10.8%和0.7%（P<0.05）;603例Hp阳性的CSG患者胃粘膜轻、中、重度炎症反应发生率分别为29.2%、59.4%和11.5%,与883例Hp阴性患者的34.1%、54.0%和11.9%比,无显著性差异（P>0.05）,胃粘膜淋巴滤泡形成、肠化生和活动性炎症发生率分别为10.4%、1.8%和8.5%,与Hp阴性患者的7.8%、1.0%和5.0%比,也无显著性差异（P>0.05）;观察胃粘膜病理学轻度、中度和重度炎症情况发现,117例内镜下胃粘膜III级BRG患者炎症程度显著重于200例I级或301例II级患者（P<0.05）。结论 BRG患者无论是胃镜下表现还是胃粘膜组织病理学变化都存在明显的病变,胆汁反流和Hp感染是引起胃粘膜炎症反应的重要因素。     

Endoscopically demonstrable esophageal changes after Helicobacter pylori eradication in patients with gastric disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: An increased prevalence of reflux esophagitis has been reported following Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication in patients with duodenal ulcers in Western countries. However, it has remained unknown whether this might also appertain to individuals with other diseases. We therefore carried out this study to determine the effect of eradicating H. pylori infection in a series of Japanese patients. METHODS: Of a total of 203 H. pylori-positive patients successfully cured of infection, 82 cases (58 males, 24 females) with gastric disease, but not duodenal ulcers, were included in the present study; median age 56 years (range 18-80) and median follow up of 24 months (range 6-65). The patients were investigated clinically and endoscopically at regular intervals. RESULTS: Mild reflux esophagitis developed after eradication in three of 55 (5.5%) patients formerly without this condition, while it improved after eradication in five of 27 (18.5%) patients, with the disease endoscopically diagnosed prior to eradication. The estimated incidence of esophagitis within 3 years was 4.8% after cure of infection. Short segment Barrett's esophagus developed after eradication in six of 58 (10.3%) patients who did not have it prior to the therapy, while the condition did not improve in 24 patients affected before eradication. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic esophageal changes after H. pylori eradication in the present series of Japanese patients were relatively infrequent and mild. This therapeutic approach thus appears to be safe and unproblematic.     

Long‐term infection with Helicobacter pylori in Mongolian gerbils

Objective: To investigate pathological changes occurring in the stomach of the Mongolian gerbil during long‐term Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods: Four‐week‐old male Mongolian gerbils were used, which were free from specific pathogens. Eighty Mongolian gerbils were inoculated orally with a suspension of H. pylori NCTC 11637 (0.5 mL, 2 × 10¹⁰ CFU/L) in a Brucella broth. To act as controls, a further 30 gerbils were fed with a Brucella broth only. Infected gerbils were killed 10, 25, 45, 55 and 65 weeks after infection. Control gerbils were killed at 10, 45 and 65 weeks. The stomach of each gerbil was removed and opened. Stomach samples for histological examination were fixed in neutral buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin, sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for analyzing histological changes, Giemsa stain for detecting H. pylori and Alcian blue (AB)/periodic acid?Schiff stain for examining intestinal metaplasia. Results: The Mongolian gerbil model for studying long‐term H. pylori infection was successfully established. Helicobacter pylori induced a progression from normal gastric mucosa to chronic gastritis, glandular atrophy, intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia, although no adenocarcinomas were found in the experimental animals. Conclusions: Helicobacter pylori NCTC 11637 is able to easily colonize the glandular stomach mucosa of the Mongolian gerbil. This model is stable, and the histological changes observed in the stomach are similar to those that occur in humans with H. pylori infection.     

胃食管反流病与幽门螺杆菌及胃排空关系的研究

目的探讨幽门螺杆菌(H.pylori)与胃食管反流病(GERD)的关系,以及H.pylori对GERD患者胃动力的影响。方法按中华医学会的GERD诊断标准,确诊GERD患者200例,进行胃镜、胃排空时间及H.pylori检查,依据洛杉矶分级将反流性食管炎(RE)分为A、B、C、D四级,200例无消化道症状的健康体检者作为对照组,进行H.pylori检查。结果 GERD组的感染率明显低于对照组(P<0.05),反流性食管炎(RE)的炎症程度与H.pylori的感染率呈负相关,GERD患者中H.pylori阳性组和H.pylori阴性组间胃排空情况无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论 H.pylori可能对GERD有潜在的保护作用;RE炎症程度越重,H.pylori感染率越低;H.pylori不影响GERD患者的胃动力。     

Incidence of reflux esophagitis and H pylori infection in diabetic patients

AIM： To investigate the incidence of reflux esophagitis （RE） and Hpylori infection in the diabetic patient. METHODS： The incidence of RE and Hpy/ori infection were investigated in 85 patients with diabetes mellitus and the results were compared with controls. RESULTS： The incidence of RE in diabetic patients was 17.6%. Although this tended to be higher in diabetic patients, there were no statistically significant differences between diabetic patients and controls. The incidence of H pyiori infection in diabetic patients was 53.7% but no statistically significant difference was seen between diabetic patients and controls in the incidence of Hpylori infection. CONCLUSION： No significant differences could be seen between diabetic patients and controls in the incidence of RE and H pldori infection.     

Development of reflux esophagitis following Helicobacter pylori eradication

Background We aimed to determine the incidence and causative factors of reflux esophagitis following Helicobacter pylori eradication in Japanese patients. Methods In patients in whom reflux esophagitis could not be detected endoscopically, we conducted an annual follow-up observation in 326 H. pylori-cured patients, 199 H. pylori-positive patients, and 151 H. pylori-negative patients, to study the incidence and causative factors of reflux esophagitis. Results Development of reflux esophagitis was observed in 74 (22.7%) of the H. pylori-cured patients during a median follow-up period of 6.0 years, in 16 (8.0%) of the H. pylori-positive patients during a median follow-up period of 5.0 years, and in 29 (19.2%) of the H. pylori-negative patients during a median follow-up period of 5.4 years. The results, after correction for sex and age, showed that H. pylori-cured patients had a significantly higher risk of reflux esophagitis than H. pylori-positive patients (risk ratio, 2.43; P < 0.01), but their risk did not differ from that in the H. pylori-negative patients. It was also shown that hiatal hernia (risk ratio, 4.01; P < 0.01) and smoking history (risk ratio, 1.77; P < 0.05) were significant risk factors for the development of reflux esophagitis. Conclusions With regard to the development of reflux esophagitis following H. pylori eradiation therapy, we observed that the frequency was higher in H. pylori-cured patients than in H. pylori-positive patients, but the frequency in H. pylori-cured patients and H. pylori-negative patients was the same. We elucidated that hiatal hernia and smoking history are important risk factors for reflux esophagitis.