Peptic ulcer disease: defining the treatment strategies in the era of Helicobacter pylori.

Peptic ulcer disease continues to be a major health care problem costing the public billions of dollars each year. Recent evidence confirms a major role for Helicobacter pylori infection in the natural history of most cases of peptic ulcer disease. The most established and effective antibiotic treatment for the eradication of H. pylori has been the classic bismuth "triple therapy" regimen containing bismuth, metronidazole, and tetracycline. …