H.pylori Flashcards
What is H.pylori?
How does it cause gastric ulcers?
Gram negative bacillus
Causes a persistent immune reaction –> inflammation in the stomach.
Decreases the activity of Somatostatin producing D-cells –> results in increase relate of Gastri –> gastric acid causes gastric ulcer
(ref etg)
What is the life time risk of gastric ulcers with h.pylori?
10%
What are alarm symptoms?
anemia, bleeding, weight loss, dysphagia (ref etg)
When should h.pylori be tested?
epigastric pain & dyspepsia
Fhx of gastric ca
screen patients undergoing NSAID therapy (ref etg)
Urea Breath Test:
1/ how long should you stop antibiotic therapy and PPI?
2/ how does it work?
3/ what is the radiation like?
4/ is it suitable for children?
1/ Antibiotic therapy and bismuth should not be taken for 4/52, PPI withheld for atleast for 1/52 (preferably for 2 weeks)
2/ hpylori has enzyme urease which breaks down urea
Urea with a with a radioisotope is swallowed –> blown out as carbon dioxide if H.pylori present
3/ 1/10th dose of CXR, 1/2 normal daily background radiation
4/ suitable for >6years of age.
In Australia what’s the prevalance of H.pylori?
30% (Ref: h.pylori eradication, an update on the latest therapies)
When should h.pylori related peptic ulcer be considered in patients?
with epigastric pain or dyspepsia
(Ref: h.pylori eradication, an update on the latest therapies)