[Clinical manifestations of Helicobacter pylori-induced ulcer disease in elderly patients].

: Clinical symptoms of ulcer disease in aged patients were found to depend on the degree of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) mucosal infection. Epigastralgia more frequently associated with grade III than grade I Hp infection (87.5 and 61.9% respectively, p < 0.05). In contrast, pain of a different localization largely occurred in patients with milder infection (28.6% vs 8.7%, p < 0.05). Hp infection aggravated the clinical course of ulcer disease in elderly patients. It is concluded that treatment for the eradication of Hp may improve the clinical picture of ulcer disease and thereby enhance quality of life in aged patients.