Abstract

Infection with Helicobacter pylori is common in patients with peptic ulceration. A short course of standard ulcer treatment usually heals ulceration but about 85 % of patients relapse within a year. In patients with duodenal ulceration, if H. pylori is eradicated the relapse rate falls to 0–20%. In this article we review the clinical relevance of H. pylori infection and the drugs used for its eradication.