Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disease that negatively affects the quality of life, and its pathophysiology is multifactorial.

Aim: Our study aims to investigate the relationship between histological and topographic characteristics of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) gastritis and the symptoms, presence, and severity of oesophagitis in patients with reflux symptoms.

Material and methods: The symptoms, demographic data, and physical examination results of the patients admitted with gastrointestinal complaints were recorded and oesophagogastroduodenoscopies were performed. Biopsies were taken from the antrum and corpus.

Results: Of the 171 patients, 113 were in the reflux group and 58 were in the non-reflux group. 103 (60%) of the patients were female and 68 (40%) were male. The mean age was 40 ±14 years in the GERD group and 49 ±16 years in the non-reflux group. There were no statistically significant differences between both groups in terms of endoscopic results or the presence and degree of oesophagitis. The total H. pylori frequency was found to be 73%; 75% in the GERD group and 69% in the non-reflux group. There was no significant relationship between the presence and degree of reflux oesophagitis. Chronic inflammation and neutrophil activity were higher in the antrum and corpus in the H. pylori-positive group, and gland atrophy was detected more frequently in the antrum in the H. pylori-negative group.

Conclusions: The histological type of gastritis caused by H. pylori rather than the presence of H. pylori may be associated with GERD.