Helicobacter pylori and Nonmalignant Diseases

• Published in: Helicobacter (Cambridge, Mass.) Mass.), 2011-09, Vol.16 (s1), p.33-37
• Main Authors: Alakkari, Alaa, Zullo, Angelo, O'Connor, Humphrey J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Appetite; dyspepsia; functional dyspepsia; gastritis; Gastroesophageal reflux; gastroesophageal reflux disease; Gastrointestinal Diseases - epidemiology; Gastrointestinal Diseases - microbiology; Gastrointestinal Diseases - pathology; ghrelin; Helicobacter Infections - epidemiology; Helicobacter Infections - microbiology; Helicobacter Infections - pathology; Helicobacter pylori; Helicobacter pylori - isolation & purification; Helicobacter pylori - physiology; Hormones; Humans; Mortality; Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs; Peptic ulcer disease; peptic ulcers; Ulcers
• ISSN: 1083-4389; 1523-5378
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-5378.2011.00878.x

Research published over the past year has documented the continued decline of Helicobacter pylori‐related peptic ulcer disease and increased recognition of non‐H. pylori, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs ulcer disease – idiopathic ulcers. Despite reduced prevalence of uncomplicated PUD, rates of ulcer complications and associated mortality remain stubbornly high. The role of H. pylori in functional dyspepsia is unclear, with some authors considering H. pylori‐associated nonulcer dyspepsia a distinct organic entity. There is increasing acceptance of an inverse relationship between H. pylori and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but little understanding of how GERD might be more common/severe in H. pylori‐negative subjects. Research has focused on factors such as different H. pylori phenotypes, weight gain after H. pylori eradication, and effects on hormones such as ghrelin that control appetite.