Recognize the indication for Helicobacter pylori eradication.
Explanation:
When one tests a patient for H. pylori, the test may be positive but may not need any
treatment. The presence of concomitant peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, or MALT
lymphoma are indications for eradication treatment. The one exception is
the patient with dyspepsia who has a positive test and is empirically treated. If
symptoms do not resolve - then an endoscopy is indicated in such a person.
If such a person has been treated for H. pylori in the past, then the
antibody may be falsely positive and such a patient should be tested using the urea
pill test (where the patient swallows a pill of urea and if H. pylori is present
then the urease in H. pylori will be break the urea into ammonia and the ammonia being
alkaline will change the color of an indicator into which the patient breathes out
using a straw).