Effects of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy on gastric emptying measured using the 13C-octanoic acid breath test and the acetaminophen method

BACKGROUND: The relationship between Helicobacter pylori eradication and gastric emptying has been reported; however, the effect of eradication therapy on gastric emptying is still unclear. This study evaluated the relationship between three gastric emptying techniques, the scintigraphic technique, the 13C-octanoic acid breath test, and the acetaminophen method, measured simultaneously, and the effect of H. pylori eradication therapy on gastric emptying and abdominal symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia who were H. pylori positive. METHODS: Fifty-three consecutive patients with positive H. pylori infection were enrolled in this study. In the first 14 patients, gastric emptying was measured using the three gastric emptying techniques. In 42 patients cured of H. pylori infection, the 13C-octanoic acid breath test and the acetaminophen method were performed before and 3 months after eradication. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between the scintigraphic technique, the 13C-octanoic acid breath test, and the acetaminophen method. Gastric emptying determined by the 13C-octanoic acid breath test and the acetaminophen method was not changed after eradication, on average. In 14 (33.3%) patients a decrease in symptom score after eradication was observed. In four (9.5%) patients, accelerated gastric emptying after eradication may have led to a reduction in the abdominal symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The 13C-octanoic acid breath test and the acetaminophen method are appropriate for investigating gastric emptying. A causal relationship between improvement of symptoms and accelerated gastric emptying was not found, and the efficacy of H. pylori eradication therapy in patients with functional dyspepsia was minimally exhibited.