Helicobacter pylori Reinfection in Brazilian Patients with Peptic Ulcer Disease: A 5-Year Follow-Up

Background:  The Helicobacter pylori reinfection seems to be higher in developing countries, than in developed ones. The aim of the study was to determine the annual recurrence rate of H. pylori , in Brazilian patients with peptic ulcer disease, in a 5-year follow-up.
Methods:  Patients, with peptic ulcer disease diagnosed by upper digestive endoscopy (UDE) and H. pylori infection verified by histological analysis, rapid urease test, polymerase chain reaction, and urea breath test (UBT), were treated for bacterial eradication. The cure of the infection was verified using the same tests, 3 months after. Clinical evaluation and UBT were performed after sixth and ninth month. After 1 year of follow-up, UBT and UDE were repeated. Up to the fifth year, patients were assessed twice a year and an UBT was performed annually. The patients included and all the reinfected were tested for 15 different genes of the H. pylori .
Results:  One hundred and forty-seven patients were followed: 19 for 1 year, eight for 2 years, four for 3 years, five for 4 years, and 98 for 5 years, totaling 557 patients/years. Recurrence did not occur in the first year. In the second year, two patients were reinfected; in the third, four patients; in the fourth, three patients; and in the fifth, one patient. The total of reinfected patients was 10. The annual reinfection rate was 1.8%.
Conclusion:  Brazil presents a low prevalence of H. pylori reinfection, similar to the developed countries.     

Eradicating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcer Disease Reduces Medical Costs in the Community

Background: Eradicating Helicobacter pylori markedly reduces ulcer recurrence in patients with peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Many decision analysis studies have concluded that eradicating H. pylori in PUD patients is more cost‐effective than maintaining antisecretory therapy. In 1995, we introduced an H. pylori eradication program into a large transportation company that experienced increased incidences of PUD among its employees along with increased medical costs, and we performed trend analysis of the actual medical costs of PUD in this cohort. Methods: In this cohort, there were approximately 8500 employees. H. pylori‐positive PUD patients were identified at the annual health check up. The patients received eradication therapy with lansoprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin. After eradication, the patients were followed up by a yearly health check up. The annual number of patients who received eradication was recorded, and the annual direct medical costs of PUD therapy were analyzed. Results: A total of 440 H. pylori‐positive PUD patients received eradication therapy in a 7‐year period. Based on an intention‐to‐treat analysis, the eradication rate was 84.5% (372 of 440). The largest number of patients who received eradication therapy was found in 1995 (n = 115), and from 1995 to 2001 this number decreased yearly by 12.5 (95% confidence interval (CI): 5 to 20). Between 1989 and 1995, the annual medical costs arising of PUD therapy increased by ¥2.25 million (95% CI: 1.19 to 3.31) per year, being highest (¥22.75 million) in 1995. Between 1995 and 2001, the costs decreased by ¥3.88 million (95% CI: 3.16 to 4.59) per year. The cost in 2001 was 5.7% of the cost in 1995. The eradication program was terminated in 2001 because the prevalence of PUD diminished markedly, and the associated medical costs decreased as well. Conclusions: H. pylori eradication could reduce the number of PUD patients and associated medical costs in the workplace setting.     

48例消化性溃疡患者幽门螺杆菌的耐药性调查

对幽门螺杆菌 (Helicobacterpylori ,Hp)临床分离株进行药物敏感性试验及耐药性分析 ,为探求幽门螺杆菌感染的根除疗法提供依据。运用微需氧培养方法 ,从胃镜活检标本中分离幽门螺杆菌 ,利用琼脂稀释法测定幽门螺杆菌对抗生素的敏感性试验 ,将 2 1株Hp临床分离株进行 7种抗菌药物的敏感性及耐药性调查。从 4 8例消化性溃疡患者胃镜活检标本中分离出 2 1株幽门螺杆菌。 2 1株幽门螺杆菌对阿莫西林MIC范围 0 .5～ 8mg/L ,无耐药菌株 ;克拉霉素、替硝唑的MIC范围分别为 0 .12 5～ 0 .5mg/L和 4～ 8mg/L ,耐药率均为 4 .76 % ;四环素、利福平的MIC范围分别为 0 .5～ 1mg/L和 1～ 6 4mg/L ,耐药率分别为 4 .76 % ,9.5 2 % ;甲硝唑的MIC为 16～ 12 8mg/L ,红霉素的MIC为 0 .5～ 12 8mg/L ,耐药率较高 ,分别为 2 3.89%和5 7.15 %。此次分离的Hp对阿莫西林、克拉霉素、替硝唑有较高的敏感性 ;而对甲硝唑及红霉素耐药率高 ,应避免应用 ;阿莫西林、克拉霉素可作为本地区治疗Hp感染的主要药物 ;四环素、利福平可用于一线治疗失败后二线治疗 ;替硝唑可替代甲硝唑用于Hp的根除治疗。     

A Review of Seasonal Periodicity in Peptic Ulcer Disease

Although several pathogenetic factors have been identified in recent years, the etiology of peptic ulcer disease is yet unknown. During the past few decades several investigators have reported seasonal patterns in peptic and duodenal ulcer disease. A review of the literature reveals vast differences between studies with respect to the type and number of patients selected, diagnostic techniques, the number of examinations and the interval of time between each as well as the method of data analysis. Nevertheless, there is solid evidence to conclude that peptic ulcer disease is lower during the summer than the other seasons of the year. Although many investigators have reported peptic ulcer disease to be more common in the spring and/or autumn, the evidence based on group studies thus far is not persuasive. On the other hand, initial findings on a small sample of patients studied by endoscopy at frequent intervals over at least a one-year period suggest that the season of peptic ulcer disease is a characteristic of each individual patient. Some experience recurrence of disease only in the spring while others experience such only in the autumn. Studies utilizing protocols which call for frequent endoscopic examination at regular (3-month or less) intervals for at least a one-year period are likely to clarify aspects of the seasonality of peptic ulcer disease.     

A Review of Seasonal Periodicity in Peptic Ulcer Disease

Although several pathogenetic factors have been identified in recent years, the etiology of peptic ulcer disease is yet unknown. During the past few decades several investigators have reported seasonal patterns in peptic and duodenal ulcer disease. A review of the literature reveals vast differences between studies with respect to the type and number of patients selected, diagnostic techniques, the number of examinations and the interval of time between each as well as the method of data analysis. Nevertheless, there is solid evidence to conclude that peptic ulcer disease is lower during the summer than the other seasons of the year. Although many investigators have reported peptic ulcer disease to be more common in the spring and/or autumn, the evidence based on group studies thus far is not persuasive. On the other hand, initial findings on a small sample of patients studied by endoscopy at frequent intervals over at least a one-year period suggest that the season of peptic ulcer disease is a characteristic of each individual patient. Some experience recurrence of disease only in the spring while others experience such only in the autumn. Studies utilizing protocols which call for frequent endoscopic examination at regular (3-month or less) intervals for at least a one-year period are likely to clarify aspects of the seasonality of peptic ulcer disease.     

Peptic Ulcer Disease in Healthcare Workers: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Health care workers (HCWs) in Taiwan have heavy, stressful workloads, are on-call, and have rotating nightshifts, all of which might contribute to peptic ulcer disease (PUD). We wanted to evaluate the PUD risk in HCWs, which is not clear. Using Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified 50,226 physicians, 122,357 nurses, 20,677 pharmacists, and 25,059 other HCWs (dieticians, technicians, rehabilitation therapists, and social workers) as the study cohort, and randomly selected an identical number of non-HCW patients (i.e., general population) as the comparison cohort. Conditional logistical regression analysis was used to compare the PUD risk between them. Subgroup analysis for physician specialties was also done. Nurses and other HCWs had a significantly higher PUD risk than did the general population (odds ratio [OR]: 1.477; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.433–1.521 and OR: 1.328; 95% CI: 1.245–1.418, respectively); pharmacists had a lower risk (OR: 0.884; 95% CI: 0.828–0.945); physicians had a nonsignificantly different risk (OR: 1.029; 95% CI: 0.987–1.072). In the physician specialty subgroup analysis, internal medicine, surgery, Ob/Gyn, and family medicine specialists had a higher PUD risk than other physicians (OR: 1.579; 95% CI: 1.441–1.731, OR: 1.734; 95% CI: 1.565–1.922, OR: 1.336; 95% CI: 1.151–1.550, and OR: 1.615; 95% CI: 1.425–1.831, respectively). In contrast, emergency physicians had a lower risk (OR: 0.544; 95% CI: 0.359–0.822). Heavy workloads, long working hours, workplace stress, rotating nightshifts, and coping skills may explain our epidemiological findings of higher risks for PUD in some HCWs, which might help us improve our health policies for HCWs.     

Treatment and Mortality of Perforated Peptic Ulcer: A Survey of 852 Cases

All proved cases of perforated peptic ulcer occurring in the Greater Vancouver area during the decade 1959-1968 have been studied. The incidence of perforation was approximately 10 per 100,000 population. The mean age was 55 years and the peak age incidence was in the fifth decade. The site of perforation was pyloroduodenal in 88% of cases and simple closure was the treatment employed in 81%. The overall mortality rate was 18.3% and one-third of these fatalities were due to misdiagnosis. The operative mortality rate was 9%.The overall mortality rate was significantly greater among women and the elderly, in gastric perforations, and in perforations occurring between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m.A close correlation was found between operative mortality rate and the time interval between perforation and operation. This elapsed time was found to be significantly greater among women and the elderly, in gastric perforations and in perforations occurring during the night.     

Perforated Peptic Ulcer in the Vancouver Area: A Survey of 852 Cases

A total of 852 perforations of peptic ulcers occurring in the Greater Vancouver area during the decade 1959-1968 have been studied. The incidence of perforation has declined during this period owing to a decrease in the number of perforations occurring in males. The incidence of perforation was similar to that in the South of England and New Zealand (approximately 10 per 100,000 population) but less than half that reported from Scotland.The sex ratio of 3.6 males to 1 female was similar to that found in other countries. The mean age of the males was 53.9 years and of the females 56.5 years. The peak incidence occurred in the decade 40 to 49 years. Patients with gastric perforations were significantly older than patients with pyloroduodenal perforations.Perforation occurred most frequently in the late afternoon, on Wednesday and during December; least commonly during the night, at the beginning of the week and through September.The pyloroduodenal was the commonest site of perforation (88%) and the usual treatment was simple closure (81%). The overall mortality rate was 18.3% and one-third of all fatalities were due to misdiagnosis. The operative mortality rate was 9%.     

Serum and Gastric Luminal Epidermal Growth Factor in Helicobacter Pylori—Associated Gastritis and Peptic Ulcer Disease

Background Helicobacter pylori is the cause of chronic (type B) gastritis, duodenal ulceration (DU), and gastric ulceration (GU). Smoking is associated with delayed ulcer healing. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is produced in the salivary and Brunner's glands of the upper gastrointestinal tract, inhibits gastri acid secretion, and is a powerful mitogen. Materials and Methods. We sought to determine gastric luminal EGF (GL-EGF) in smokers and patients with Hp-associated DU and the effect of Hp eradication. Our aim was to determine GL-EGF in patients with GU and the effect of ulcer healing and to measure serum EGF in patients with Hp gastritis with or without DU disease. Results. GL-EGF was reduced in smokers compared to control (p= .008). Subjects with HP gastritis had reduced GL-EGF compared to controls (p= .0002). There was no difference in GL-EGF between Hp-positive subjects who had DU and those with chronic gastritis alone. Eradication of Hp from those patients with DU had no effect on the low levels of GL-EGF. There was no difference between GL-EGF in Hp gastritis alone and in Hp-associated active GU. GL-EGF fell after ulcer healing (p= .04), a difference confirmed by analysis of paired samples from patients before and after ulcer healing (p= .03). There was no difference in serum EGF between controls and subjects with Hp infection. There was no difference in serum EGF in subjects with DU-associated and non-ulcer-associated gastritis. Conclusions. Subjects with Hp gastritis, or those who smoke, had low concentrations of GL-EGF regardless of whether DU was present. Eradication of Hp did not return the concentrations of GL-EGF to normal in DU subjects. Individuals with Hp gastritis and inactive GU had low levels of GL-EGF compared to non-ulcer Hp infection. The relative increase in GL-EGF that occurred with ulceration of the gastric mucosa may have resulted from the development of an ulcer-associated cell lineage. Serum EGF did not play a role in the pathogenesis of Hp gastritis or of associated DU ulcer disease.