Summary: | INTRODUCTION: Helicobacter pylori (HP) is a gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium that causes stomach infections. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in the population, and its relationship with HP infection is still controversial. Although there are some articles in the literature that support the onset of esophagitis in patients with HP, a clear causal relationship between GERD and HP infection has not yet been established. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between GERD and HP infection METHODS: The files and gastroscopy reports of 1549 patients who underwent upper GIS endoscopy in the Gastroenterology Unit were evaluated. In addition to clinical features, 536 patients endoscopically diagnosed with GERD were included in the study. Endoscopy and pathology reports of 536 patients diagnosed with GERD were evaluated and analyzed for HP, esophagitis and intestinal metaplasia. RESULTS: HP positivity was found in 229 (42,72%) of 536 patients diagnosed with GERD. Esophagitis was detected in 7,42% of patients with HP positive, and 13,35% of patients with HP negative had esophagitis. The frequency of esophagitis was found to be statistically significantly lower in those with positive HP (p=0,026). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We found that patients with negative HP had significantly frequent reflux-esophagitis. This finding was consistent with the literature supporting the opposite relationship between HP and reflux-esophagitis. In the light of the knowledge obtained from the literature, it is thought that HP eradication in all patients with GERD will not reduce symptoms or may increase it.
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