Comparison between endoscopic findings and dyspepsia symptoms in healthy subjects post-infected and uninfected with Helicobacter pylori: a case-control study

Background: Healthy subjects without Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection have been divided into two categories: Hp-eradicated group (Hp-era) and Hp-uninfected group (Hp-uni). The association between endoscopic findings and dyspeptic symptoms in these two groups has not been investigated in detail. Methods: We conducted a case-control study to identify the differences in the endoscopic findings and dyspeptic symptoms between 68 Hp-era subjects and 68 age- and gender-matched Hp-uni subjects in a routine health check center. Subjective symptoms were evaluated by the modified FSSG questionare scores (J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2012, 27:1187).Results: Incidences of advanced atrophic gastritis were 69% in Hp-era and 0% in Hp-uni. Incidences of superficial gastritis/fundic gland polyps were 0%/1.5% and 32.3%/38.2% in Hp-era and Hp-uni groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in the incidence of erosive antral gastritis, Hiatus hernia, Barrett's epithelium and bile reflux between two groups. The means of reflux/dyspepsia score were 2.57+0.35/2.87+0.37 in Hp-era group and 2.52+0.45/3.09+0.42 in Hp-uni group, respectively. There were no significant differences in profiles of symptoms and distribution of their severities between two groups. Conclusion: In spite of significant differences in gastric atrophy and gastritis between Hp-era and Hp-uni, we could not obtain differences in profiles or severity of reflux or dyspeptic symptoms in these two groups.