Helicobacter pylori: When To Test, When To Treat
Authors: Linda Rabeneck
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1997)

Editorials15 February 1997Helicobacter pylori: When To Test, When To TreatLinda Rabeneck, MD, MPH and David Y. Graham, MDLinda Rabeneck, MD, MPHVeterans Affairs Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 and David Y. Graham, MDVeterans Affairs Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-126-4-199702150-00008 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common chronic infections in humans. Although most H. pylori infections are clinically silent, the organism is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality because it causes both peptic ulcer and gastric cancer [1]. Along with new knowledge about H. pylori-related diseases, we now have new diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Reliable serologic (IgG antibody) tests for H. pylori infection are now readily available, and the Food and Drug Administration, last fall, approved the urea breath test, which is uniquely able to detect active infection. The Food and Drug Administration has also approved three drug ...References1. Graham DY. Evolution of concepts regarding Helicobacter pylori: from a cause of gastritis to a public health problem [Editorial]. Am J Gastroenterol. 1994; 89:469-72. Google Scholar2. Lee A. Animal models and vaccine development. Baillieres Clin Gastroenterol. 1995; 9:615-32. Google Scholar3. Neu HC. The crisis in antibiotic resistance. Science. 1992; 257:1064-73. Google Scholar4. NIH Consensus Conference. Helicobacter pylori in peptic ulcer disease. NIH Consensus Conference Development Panel on Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcer Disease. JAMA. 1994; 272:65-9. Google Scholar5. Management of dyspepsia: report of a working party. Lancet. 1988; 1:576-9. Google Scholar6. 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BMJ. 1996; 312:1321-5. Google Scholar17. Ofman JJ, Etchason J, Fullerton S, Kahn KL, Soll AH. Management strategies for Helicobacter pylori-seropositive patients with dyspepsia: clinical and economic consequences. Ann Intern Med. 1997; 126:280-291. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030Corresponding Author: Linda Rabeneck, MD, MPH, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Room 3A-352 (111D), 2002 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030.Current Author Addresses: Drs. Rabeneck and Graham: Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Room 3A-352 (111D), 2002 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoManagement Strategies for Helicobacter pylori-Seropositive Patients with Dyspepsia: Clinical and Economic Consequences Joshua J. Ofman , Jeff Etchason , Steven Fullerton , Katherine L. Kahn , and Andrew H. Soll Metrics Cited ByComparison of Different Criteria for Interpretation of Immunoglobulin G Immunoblotting Results for Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori InfectionDYSPEPSIA IN PREGNANCYA Comprehensive Review of the Natural History of Helicobacter pylori Infection in ChildrenRecognizing peptic ulcer diseaseDiagnosis and management of Helicobacter pylori infectionTherapy and Diagnostic Tests Used for Helicobacter pylori Infection in the Scandinavian Countries in 1998Molecular Analysis of the Progression from Helicobacter pylori –Associated Chronic Gastritis to Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid-Tissue Lymphoma of the StomachA practical approach to the diagnosis and therapy of helicobacter pylori infection 15 February 1997Volume 126, Issue 4Page: 315-316KeywordsAlgorithmsAntimicrobialsDecision analysisDrugsEndoscopyGastric cancerHelicobacter pylori infectionPatientsPeptic ulcersVaccines Issue Published: 15 February 1997 CopyrightCopyright © 1997 by American College of Physicians. 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