Helicobacter pylori treatment instead of maintenance therapy for peptic ulcer disease: The effectiveness of case-finding in general practice

Background: Maintenance therapy with acid-inhibiting medication is common in general practice. Since the eradication of Helicobacter pylori has become the treatment of choice for peptic ulcer disease, H. pylori treatment could replace maintenance therapy in patients with an ulcer history. Aim: To determine the effectiveness of a full peptic ulcer disease history case-finding strategy, together with subsequent H. pylori testing and treatment, in discontinuing maintenance therapy. Method: Patients were included from seven general practices, who had been using acid-inhibiting medication for more than 3 months in the period May 1996-May 1997. Patients with a history of proven peptic ulcer disease were tested, and treated with proton pump inhibitor-triple therapy if positive. Maintenance therapy was discontinued and restart within 12 months was monitored. Results: Long-term acid suppression was used by 2.8% of the practice-populations. A peptic ulcer disease history was found in 18% of the patients, 73% of whom were offered the 'H. pylori test and treat' alternative. The majority responded: 92% of the H. pylori-infected patients were treated, 78% of whom successfully discontinued long-term medication. Conclusion: Implementing an 'H. pylori test and treat' strategy enabled one-third of the patients with a peptic ulcer disease history to stop maintenance therapy successfully, The strategy contributes to reduction of long-term drug use, but compliance needs improvement.