Predictors and timing for the development of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease after successful Helicobactor pylori eradication therapy.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) eradication success increases the incidence of erosive esophagitis by normalization of gastric acid secretion. The aim of this study is to clarify predictors and timing for the development of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after successful H. pylori eradication based on long-term follow-up.

METHODS: From April 2014 to October 2020, 330 patients with H. pylori infections treated with a standard triple-drug regimen were enrolled, and their records retrospectively reviewed. Development of symptomatic GERD was defined as requiring proton pump inhibitor or vonoprazan therapy to treat symptoms.

RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 2.8 years, and symptomatic GERD developed in 41 (12%) patients during the study period. Overall rates of GERD-symptom free patients at 6 months, 1, and 2 years after eradication were 97%, 93%, and 89%, respectively. We evaluated predictors for the development of symptomatic GERD using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. In multivariate analysis, being a current smoker, having functional dyspepsia, hiatal hernia, and severe gastric atrophy were identified as significant predictive factors. The GERD domain score in the Izumo scale was significantly decreased 1 month after vonoprazan therapy consistent with effective treatment of symptomatic GERD.

CONCLUSIONS: The rate of development of symptomatic GERD after successful H. pylori eradication is low over long-term follow-up and is easily controlled by vonoprazan therapy. However, patients with smoking habits, functional dyspepsia, hiatal hernia, or severe gastric atrophy should be followed carefully after eradication.