[Changes in the natural history of peptic ulcer after Helicobacter pylori eradication. Randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Follow-up of 44 months].

We included 63 patients (p) with duodenal ulcer and Helicobacter pylori infection to be treated with Famotidine 40mg/day for six weeks. In the first ten days one group of 33p (TG) received Metronidazole 250mg plus Amoxicillin 500mg T.I.D and 30p (PG) placebo. Helicobacter pylori was eradicated in 62.5% of TG. Infection was always associated with ulcer recurrence. Healing was similar in both groups but recurrence was statistically significant after three month in PG and in the first year all Pg had relapsed. At 44 month only 25% of TG relapsed. The natural history of peptic ulcer disease was changed with Helicobacter pylori eradication.