Korean J Gastroenterol.  2003 Apr;41(4):255-260.

Relationship between Reflux Esophagitis and Helicobacter pylori Infection

• Park MH
• Lee SH
• Joo SY
• Sohn YH
• Park CH
• Lee WS
• Joo YE
• Choi SK
• Rew JS
• Kim SJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been generally accepted as the main etiologic factor in gastrointestinal disease. However, some recent reports suggest a protective role of H. pylori in gastroesophageal reflux disease. We assessed the H. pylori prevalence in reflux esophagitis and development rate of reflux esophagitis after H. pylori eradication. METHODS: A total of 398 patients (173 reflux esophagitis patients and 225 chronic gastritis or peptic ulcer patients) from 1998 through 2000 were included in this study. Reflux esophagitis was graded from A to D according to the Los Angeles (LA) classification. Among these patients, 86 patients (47 cured group and 39 ongoing infection group) underwent H. pylori eradication and subsequent follow-up endoscopy. RESULTS: The rate of H. pylori infection was significantly lower in reflux esophagitis group than in control group (47.3% vs 65.7%, p=0.0001). There was no significant difference in the H. pylori infection rate according to the grade of esophagitis (LA-A 40.3%, LA-B 59.1%, LA-C 50.0%, LA-D 28.6%; p=0.094). After H. pylori eradication therapy, reflux esophagitis was newly developed in 4 cases (8.5%) of cured group and 2 cases (5.1%) of ongoing infection group. CONCLUSIONS: There may be no protective role of H. pylori in reflux esophagitis.

Keyword

Gastroesophageal reflux; Helicobacter pylori