Clinical trial: knowledge of negative <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> status reduces subsequent dyspepsia‐related resource use

SummaryBackground Screening for Helicobacter pylori reduces dyspepsia and dyspepsia‐related costs in positive individuals.Aims To assess effect of knowledge of H. pylori status on healthcare‐seeking in negative individuals.Methods H. pylori‐negative subjects in a community screening programme were randomized to placebo triple therapy or informed of their negative H. pylori status. Dyspepsia‐related resource data were extracted from primary care records at 2 years, and National Health Service reference costs were applied to calculate the total cost per subject. Proportions of individuals incurring any cost were compared using a relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Differences in costs were compared using an independent sample t‐test.Results A total of 1353 H. pylori‐negative individuals were randomized to placebo whilst 1355 were informed of their infection status. In the placebo arm, 212 (16%) subsequently incurred any dyspepsia‐related cost compared to 172 (13%) informed of their infection status (RR of incurring cost = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.67–0.97). Those informed of their infection status incurred lower costs (mean saving per individual = £11.02; 95% CI: −£3.52 to 25.56).Conclusions H. pylori‐negative individuals informed of infection status sought health care for dyspepsia less often than those who were unaware. Population screening may reduce dyspepsia‐related costs in uninfected, as well as infected individuals.

Clinical trial: knowledge of negative Helicobacter pylori status reduces subsequent dyspepsia‐related resource use Journal Articles