Changes of Dyspeptic Symptom after Successful Eradication in Helicobacter pylori- Associated Dyspepsia

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) gastritis could cause dyspepsia, and eradication is recommended as the first-line treatment. Patients who continuously have their symptoms under control > 6 months after eradication are defined as having H. pylori-associated dyspepsia (HPD), whereas patients who do not benefit from successful eradication are defined as having functional dyspepsia. OBJECTIVES: We assessed changes in dyspeptic symptoms after successful eradication of H. pylori by using a questionnaire. METHODS: We studied H. pylori-infected dyspeptic participants with abdominal symptom scores > 4 points on the Global Overall Symptom (GOS) scoring items and received eradication therapy. We evaluated their symptoms using the GOS questionnaire before their eradications, at 1-month and at 1-year check-ups after eradication therapy. RESULTS: Thirty dyspeptic participants (mean age 59.6 +/- 15.3 years) answered every questionnaire. Fourteen participants (46.7%) had HPD, whereas 16 participants (53.3%) were non-HPD patients. The questionnaire at 1 month showed sensitivity of 64.3% (9/14) and specificity of 56.3% (9/16) for HPD. Approximately 60% of H. pylori-infected dyspepsia participants were identified as having HPD or non-HPD within 1 month after their eradications. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 60% of HPD participants improved at 1 month after eradication. The questionnaire at 1 month helped diagnose HPD in advance and guided next treatment choice.