Helicobacter pylori test and medical reimbursement

There are an estimated 60 million people with Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection who occupied 50% of the population of Japan. In Japanese medical reimbursement H. pylori tests were introduced on November 1, 2000 and they are able to use only to patients with gastric and duodenal ulcer. H. pylori tests were composed of rapid urease test, urea breath test, antibody test, bacterial culture and pathologic test. Payment of each test is 700 Yen. Classification and cost of H. pylori tests are shown. Usage of laboratory tests for H. pylori infection is mentioned. Those particular tests are useful to decrease the number of gastric and duodenal ulcer in Japan.