Myths and misconceptions in the management of Helicobacter pylori infection

Bornschein, Jan and Pritchard, D Mark ORCID: 0000-0001-7971-3561 (2022) Myths and misconceptions in the management of Helicobacter pylori infection. FRONTLINE GASTROENTEROLOGY, 13 (3). pp. 245-253.

Access the full-text of this item by clicking on the Open Access link.

Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/flgastro-2021-101826

Abstract

The discovery of Helicobacter pylori infection in 1984 revolutionised the management of several common upper gastrointestinal diseases. However, some of the clinical practices that were adopted following discovery of this organism have become less appropriate over the intervening years. This article discusses five 'myths and misconceptions' that we believe have now emerged and which we argue need re-evaluation. Although the prevalence of H. pylori infection is decreasing in some developed countries, it remains a huge global problem and the most serious consequence of infection, gastric adenocarcinoma, is still a major cause of mortality. The epidemiology of H. pylori-related diseases is also changing and careful testing remains crucially important, especially in patients with peptic ulceration. Eradication of H. pylori infection has also become much more difficult over recent years as a result of the widespread acquisition of antibiotic resistance. Routine assessment of the success of eradication should therefore now be performed. Finally, there has been increased awareness about the role of H. pylori in the multistep pathway of gastric carcinogenesis, about the opportunities to prevent cancer development by eradicating this infection in some individuals and about detecting high-risk preneoplastic changes via endoscopic surveillance. The discovery of H. pylori was rightly honoured by the award of the Nobel prize for Physiology and Medicine in 2005. However, unless we re-evaluate and update the ways in which we manage H. pylori infection, much of the fantastic progress that has been made in this field of medicine may tragically be lost once again.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	duodenal ulcer, gastric carcinoma, helicobacter pylori, helicobacter therapy
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	15 Mar 2023 14:39
Last Modified:	18 Oct 2023 15:57
DOI:	10.1136/flgastro-2021-101826
Open Access URL:	https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC89961...
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3169091