Does eradicating H pylori improve gastric symptoms?
Eradication of Helicobacter pylori does not increase or reduce symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux. Harvey and colleagues (p 1417) randomised 1558 patients with H pylori infection to receive active treatment or placebo and found that, two years after treatment, eradication had no effect on the overall prevalence of heartburn or reflux, nor on pre-existing gastric symptoms. In participants who had isolated reflux, treatment prevented the development of heartburn.
