Campylobacter associated gastritis in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia: a double blind placebo controlled trial with colloidal bismuth subcitrate.

Fifty consecutive patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia and a Campylobacter associated gastritis (CAG) were randomly assigned to treatment with colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS) 240 mg twice daily or placebo, according to a double blind study design. After the blind treatment an 'open' treatment with CBS was started in both groups. Twenty six patients treated with CBS showed a significant reduction in colonisation with Campylobacter pylori and a significant improvement in the Whitehead gastritis score. No significant changes were recorded in twenty four patients treated with placebo. After an additional course of CBS no further improvement in gastritis score was noted but there was a further reduction in Campylobacter colonisation. CBS did not greatly alter subjective complaints. Subjective complaints were improved in both treatment groups except for nausea and meteorism that improved more in the CBS treated patients. This finding again questions the clinical significance of gastritis and also casts doubt on the clinical relevance of therapeutical measures aimed at eradication of C pylori.