Quality of life and relapse of duodenal ulcer before and after eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to compare relapse rates and quality of life before and after eradication of Helicobacter pylori in a group of patients with documented recurrent duodenal ulcer disease.

METHODS

Seventy-four patients with three endoscopically verified duodenal ulcers during the past 2 years received triple treatment consisting of bismuth subnitrate, oxytetracycline, and metronidazole for 14 days. Quality of life was measured with the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS-SR) and H. pylori status with the 14C-urea breath test.

RESULTS

After triple treatment H. pylori was eradicated in 96%, and the ulcer was healed in all. Ulcer relapse was reduced from 100% before to 1.4% during a mean observation time of 111 weeks. The H. pylori reinfection rate was 2.4% during the 1st year. The patients were more satisfied with the health care system and had better sexual relationship and less psychologic distress 1 year after eradication of H. pylori than before.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with recurrent duodenal ulcer, eradication of H. pylori with triple treatment leads to a significantly reduced ulcer relapse rate and improved quality of life.