T. Koike et al., Increased gastric acid secretion after Helicobacter pylori eradication maybe a factor for developing reflux oesophagitis, ALIM PHARM, 15(6), 2001, pp. 813-820
Background: The role of acid secretion in reflux oesophagitis which may dev
elop after H. pylori eradication is not well known.
Aim: To investigate the participation of altered gastric acid secretion and
the presence of hiatal hernia in the development of reflux oesophagitis af
ter eradication therapy for H. pylori.
Subjects and Methods: A total of 105 patients with H. pylori infection, but
without reflux oesophagitis at the time of eradication therapy, were follo
wed prospectively for 7 months after the clearance of this microorganism. G
astric acid secretion was assessed by endoscopic gastrin test, and the pres
ence of hiatal hernia by endoscopy.
Results: Reflux oesophagitis developed in 11 out of 105 (10.5%) patients wh
en examined at 7 months after the eradication therapy. The incidence was co
rrelated significantly with the increase in gastric acid secretion after th
e eradication of H. pylori, and was significantly higher in the patients wi
th hiatal hernia (20%) than in those without it (0%).
Conclusions: Increased acid secretion after H. pylori eradication is an imp
ortant risk factor of reflux oesophagitis, especially in patients with hiat
al hernia.