Review article: Helicobacter pylori and uninvestigated dyspepsia

Abstract

Although dyspepsia is a very common disorder, the incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Western medical clinics is very low (20-35%). In cases where H. pylori is detected, elimination of it may be cost-effective in the long term, but even eradication is not a guarantee for long-term relief. Further studies to determine the connection between H. pylori and dyspepsia need to be completed before H. pylori eradication becomes the treatment of choice for that minority of patients. The majority of dyspeptic patients are not as simple to diagnose, and may need several empirical trials of therapy, or more specific diagnostic assessment. © 2002 Blackwell Science Ltd.