Management of Helicobacter pylori-Positive Patients with Dyspepsia
Authors: Joshua J. Ofman
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1997)

Letters1 August 1997Management of Helicobacter pylori-Positive Patients with DyspepsiaJoshua J. Ofman, MD, MSHS, Andrew H. Soll, MD, and Katherine L. Kahn, MDJoshua J. Ofman, MD, MSHSWest Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Los Angeles, CA 90073University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 90024Search for more papers by this author, Andrew H. Soll, MDWest Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Los Angeles, CA 90073University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 90024Search for more papers by this author, and Katherine L. Kahn, MDWest Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Los Angeles, CA 90073University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 90024Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-127-3-199708010-00021 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:Dr. Schwartz raises some important and thought-provoking issues. First, public awareness of H. pylori has risen as a result of educational campaigns by the lay press, pharmaceutical companies, the American Gastroenterological Association's Digestive Health Initiative, and the National Institute of Health Consensus Development Conference [1]. Although there is the potential that heightened awareness may lead to more physician visits for dyspepsia, thus raising the “aggregate costs” of care, there is no reason to believe that this impact will be different if initial anti-H. pylori therapy or initial endoscopy is the recommended management strategy. The impact of this awareness ...References1. Helicobacter pylori in peptic ulcer disease. NIH Consensus Development Panel on Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcer Disease. JAMA. 1994; 272:65-9. Google Scholar2. Graham DY. Benefits from elimination of Helicobacter pylori infection include major reduction in the incidence of peptic ulcer disease, gastric cancer, and primary gastric lymphoma. Prev Med. 1994; 23:712-6. Google Scholar3. Nomura A, Stemmermann GN, Chyou PH, Perez-Perez GI, Blaser MJ. Helicobacter pylori infection and the risk for duodenal and gastric ulceration. Ann Intern Med. 1994; 120:977-81. Google Scholar4. Conwell CF, Lyell R, Rodney WM. Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in family practice patients with refractory dyspepsia: a comparison of tests available in the office. J Fam Pract. 1995; 41:245-9. Google Scholar5. Cutler AF, Havstad S, Ma CK, Blaser MJ, Perez-Perez GI, Schubert TT. Accuracy of invasive and noninvasive tests to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection. Gastroenterology. 1995; 109:136-41. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Los Angeles, CA 90073University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 90024 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 1 August 1997Volume 127, Issue 3Page: 244KeywordsAntibioticsGastric cancerGastroenterology and hepatologyHealth education and awarenessHealth promotionInfectious diseasesLymphomaPeptic ulcersPositive predictive valueVaccines Issue Published: 1 August 1997 CopyrightCopyright © 1997 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...