RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Whether H. pylori infection plays a role in FD is ill defined; however, it is recommended to prescribe eradication treatment in patients with dyspepsia without alarm symptoms. Results of this advice are controversial, principally due to absence of instruments that provide an objective measure of changes in symptoms and quality of life. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate significant changes in symptom severity and quality of life in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) following Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication treatment. METHODS: We conducted an open clinical trial in adult patients with FD who were H. pylori-positive by means of 14C breath test. Treatment consisted of 2 weeks on lanzoprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin. Score change on the severity of dyspepsia assessment (SODA) test instrument was used to evaluate modifications in symptom severity and quality of life. RESULTS: One hundred patients were included in this trial; treatment compliance was observed in 77% of these, while cure of H. pylori infection was obtained in 82.7% of patients. Only 11.7% displayed absence of dyspepsia symptoms and improvement in quality of life. No significant changes were obtained in global assessment nor in pain, or symptoms in health perception quality of life when initial SODA scores were compared with after-treatment results. CONCLUSIONS: There was no improvement of FD symptoms or quality of life after H. pylori eradication treatment.