The management of young dyspeptic patients in the era of Helicobacter pylori.

The management of young dyspeptic patients remains controversial in the modern Helicobacter pylori era. The use of non-invasive screening for H. pylori in one proposed strategy has demonstrated a substantial reduction in the endoscopy workload by excluding H. pylori negative patients under the age of 45 years with uncomplicated dyspepsia. An alternative screening strategy proposes a 'test and treat' approach, with H. pylori positive patients proceeding directly to an empirical course of eradication therapy. Ednoscopy would be reserved for patients who failed to respond symptomatically or who were H. pylori negative on intial screening. At present there are few data available from clinical studies of putting the 'test and treat' policy into practice. Although there is likely to be a role for screening young dyspeptic patients for H. pylori in primary care, subsequent management requires well-planned studies in order to assess the benefits of any particular strategy.