Guidelines for the management of Helicobacter pylori-related upper gastrointestinal diseases. Irish Helicobacter Pylori Study Group

Abstract

The discovery of H. pylori is the most important development in gastroduodenal disease this century. It has completely changed our understanding of conditions that occur in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Eradication of the bacterium will cure peptic ulcer disease, decrease the symptoms of non-ulcer dyspepsia and may prevent gastric cancer. There has been an exponential increase in the amount of research in this area in recent years and, consequently, there is considerable confusion as to how H. pylori-related conditions should be managed. It is hoped that these guidelines will clarify some of these issues.