Management of H. pylori infection in Europe

Abstract

Over the last decades, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been recognized as the main risk factor for various gastroduodenal diseases. This knowledge has dramatically changed the clinical management of H. pylori infection and related gastroduodenal diseases. Nowadays, H. pylori-related diseases, such as peptic ulcer disease and MALT lymphoma, can be cured by H. pylori eradication therapy. Furthermore, H. pylori eradication has the potential to prevent gastric cancer. In this chapter, we have selected the most significant aspects of H. pylori infection. We reviewed indications for H. pylori eradication therapy and data about diagnosis and therapy of H. pylori infection. New treatment regimens or modifications of established therapies have been developed with the goal to overcome increasing antibiotic resistance rates that can be regarded as the main reason for treatment failure. Finally, more and more evidence has been gathered that prevention of gastric cancer is feasible by eradication of H. pylori. This approach is likely to be highly effective in reducing the incidence of gastric cancer.