Original Article

The Role of Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Reflux Esophagitis

Hye Kyung Jung, Hye Young Son, Young Sun Kim, Sun Young Yi
Author Information & Copyright
Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.

Copyright ⓒ 1999. Ewha Womans University School of Medicine. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Published Online: Sep 30, 1999

Abstract

Objectives

Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastritis, which progress to peptic ulcer, gastric atrophy, or gastric cancer. However, little is known about the role of Helicobacter pylori in reflux esophagitis. Corpus gastritis reduces the parietal cell mass and decreased peak acid output as a known risk factor for reflux esophagitis. So the relationship among reflux esophagitis and corpus gastritis and Helicobacter pylori needs to be clarified.

Methods

In prospective, controlled study of patients with reflux esophagitis without other gastrointestinal disease, the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori was assessed. Antral and corpus biopsy were performed and rapid urease test and Giemsa staining were taken for Helicobacter pylori status.

Results

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori was 43.8%(21/48) in reflux esophagitis and 67.5%(27/40) in reference group. The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori was significantly lower in patients compared with the reference group(p<O.O5). The corpus gastritis was no significant relationship with reflux esophagitis and Helicobacter pylory.

Conclusions

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with reflux esophagitis is significantly lower than in the reference group, irrespective of corpus gastritis. It is suggested that Helicobacter pylori infection have a preventive role to reflux esophagitis, so we may be aware of balance between 'deleterious' and 'beneficial' effects of Helicobacter pylori eradication.

Keywords: Reflux esophagitis; Helicobacter pylori