Endoscopic findings, Helicobacter pylori status, and dyspeptic complaints in vagotomized or medically treated peptic ulcer patients and healthy community controls

Abstract

Background: The recommendation that Helicobacter pylori be eradicated in surgically treated peptic ulcer patients, regardless of complaints and ongoing ulceration, is controversial. To explore possible endoscopic changes associated with vagotomy and long-term acid suppression, the objectives of this study were to compare the endoscopic findings in the upper gastrointestinal mucosa in relation to H. pylori infection and dyspeptic symptoms in peptic ulcer patients treated surgically or medically.

Methods: Eighty-three randomly selected previously vagotomized peptic ulcer patients, 73 medically treated peptic ulcer patients, and a reference group of 88 healthy community controls underwent an endoscopic investigation. H. pylori infection was determined by culture growth augmented by histology. The endoscopist was blinded for the symptoms and the medical history of all subjects.

Results: H. pylori infection was found in 79% of the vagotomized patients, 75% of the medically treated patients, and 70% of the controls. No malignant lesions were found. Active peptic ulceration was the only endoscopic finding associated with abdominal complaints or H. pylori infection. More than half of subjects with normal endoscopy had H. pylori infection.

Conclusions: No differences in endoscopic findings between the surgically and medically treated peptic ulcer patients could be found. The findings do not lend any support to H. pylori infection per se as an indication for eradication therapy in previously vagotomized peptic ulcer patients.