Management Strategies for Helicobacter Pylori-Seropositive Patients with Dyspepsia

Compares two strategies for the management of Helicobacter pylori-seropositive patients with dyspepsia. In such patients there are two strategies of treatment. One would be to treat with anti-H. pylori therapy, and the other to do initial endoscopy. This study used decision analysis to compare these two strategies and concluded in H. pylori-seropositive patients with dyspepsia, initial anti-H. pylori therapy is the most cost-effective management strategy; however, to optimize management decisions, randomized trials are still necessary to evaluate outcomes in patient preferences. In the meantime, the use of anti-H. pylori therapy as opposed to endoscopy in such patients is suggested by the decision analysis done in this paper. Since this condition affects large numbers of people, this paper can have positive effects on both the cost of care and the quality of care for patients with GI distress who also are affected with H. pylori.