Improvement of reflux symptom related quality of life after Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy

The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy and the risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is controversial. We investigated the influence of H. pylori eradication on the risk of GERD by focusing on the quality of life (QOL) and evaluating reflux symptoms. Patients with H. pylori infection were administered triple therapy for H. pylori eradication. At 3 months and 1 year after the eradication therapy, surveys were conducted to determine the health-related QOL by quality of life in reflux and dyspepsia-Japanese version, (QOLRAD-J) and the severity of GERD symptoms by Carlsson-Dent questionnaire (CDQ). Forty patients were included in the analysis. Although no significant changes of these scores were apparent 3 months after H. pylori eradication, the QOLRAD-J and CDQ scores were significantly improved after 1 year. The degree of improvement was even more marked in cases with initially low scores. In conclusion, improved GERD-related QOL and reflux symptoms were noted 1 year after H. pylori eradication therapy. In addition, the degree of improvement was more marked in cases with severe reflux symptoms.