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  1. Is Helicobacter pylori...
  2. Is Helicobacter pylori associated with non-ulcer dyspepsia and will eradication improve symptoms? A meta-analysis
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Is Helicobacter pylori associated with non-ulcer dyspepsia and will eradication improve symptoms? A meta-analysis

BMJ 1999; 319 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.319.7216.1040 (Published 16 October 1999) Cite this as: BMJ 1999;319:1040
  1. R Liisa Jaakkimainen, dam Linton fellow in health services research (liisa.jaakkimainen{at}ices.on.ca)a,
  2. Eleanor Boyle, doctorate candidateb,
  3. Fred Tudiver, directorc
  1. a Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4N 3M5
  2. b Inner City Health Research, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 1W8
  3. c Department of Family Medicine, Center for Evidence-Based Practice, State University of New York Health Science Centre at Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
  1. Correspondence to: R L Jaakkimainen
  • Accepted 11 August 1999

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and non-ulcer dyspepsia, and to assess the effect of eradicating H pylori on dyspeptic symptoms in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of (a) observational studies examining the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and non-ulcer dyspepsia (association studies), and (b) therapeutic trials examining the association between eradication of H pylori and dyspeptic symptoms in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (eradication trials).

Data sources: Randomised controlled trials and observational studies conducted worldwide and published between January 1983 and March 1999.

Main outcome measures: Summary odds ratios and summary symptom scores.

Results: 23 association studies and 5 eradication trials met the inclusion criteria. In the association studies the summary odds ratio for H pylori infection in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia was 1.6 (95% confidence interval 1.4 to 1.8). In the eradication trials the summary odds ratio for improvement in dyspeptic symptoms in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia in whom H pylori was eradicated was 1.9 (1.3 to 2.6).

Conclusions: Some evidence shows an association between H pylori infection and dyspeptic symptoms in patients referred to gastroenterologists. An improvement in dyspeptic symptoms occurred among patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia in whom H pylori was eradicated.

Footnotes

  • Funding The Adam Linton fellowship is sponsored by the Ontario Medical Association.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Accepted 11 August 1999
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