Gastroenterology: Peptic diseases

The continuing importance of Helicobacter pylori is evidenced by the increasing number of articles published on this topic. An important new finding is the assiociation between H. pylori and gastric cancer; in addition, H. pylori is associated with gastric ulceration in patients not taking NSAID'S. Sucralfate is the treatment of choice for stress ulcer prophylaxis since it produces fewer nosocomial pneumonias than comparably effective dose of ranitidine or antacids.