Helicobacter pylori infection and the prevention of peptic ulcer with proton pump inhibitors in elderly subjects taking low-dose aspirin

Introduction. The role of Helicobacter pylori infection on the risk of low-dose aspirin-related gastroduodenal damage and on the efficacy of the prevention therapy in elderly chronic users of low-dose aspirin is still controversial. Aim. To evaluate in symptomatic elderly chronic users of low-dose aspirin: (1) the association between H. pylori infection and the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal lesions; and (2) the effect of H. pylori infection on the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors in the prevention of aspirin-related gastroduodenal lesions. Patients and methods. Two hundred and forty-five symptomatic elderly who were taking aspirin 75-300 mg daily, at least during the last 3 months, were evaluated by endoscopy. A structured interview was carried Out to evaluate gastrointestinal symptoms and the use of proton pump inhibitors. H. pylori infection was diagnosed according to histology and the rapid urease test on gastric biopsies. Results. One hundred and twelve patients were H. pylori-positive and 133 patients were H. pylori-negative. A significantly higher prevalence of peptic ulcers was observed in H. pylori-positive than in H. pylori-negative subjects (36.6% versus 15.8%, P = 0.0002). The use of proton pump inhibitors was associated with a significant decreased risk of peptic ulcer both in H. pylori-positive (absolute risk reduction, ARR = -36.2, 95% confidence interval: -51.2 to -21.3, P < 0.001) and H. pylori-negative patients (ARR = -12.6, 95% confidence interval: -23.9 to -1.2, P = 0.03). However, the number of patients who needed to be treated in order to gain a reduction of one peptic ulcer (number needed to treat, NnT) was lower in H. pylori-positive than in H. pylori-negative patients (NnT = 3 versus 8). Conclusions. In symptomatic elderly chronic users of low-dose aspirin, H. pylori infection may influence the prevalence of peptic ulcers and the cost-effectiveness of the proton pump inhibitor prevention therapy. (C) 2004 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.