Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastritis, which progress to peptic ulcer, gastric atrophy, or gastric cancer. However, little is known about the role of Helicobacter pylori in reflux esophagitis. Corpus gastritis reduces the parietal cell mass and decreased peak acid output as a known risk factor for reflux esophagitis. So the relationship among reflux esophagitis and corpus gastritis and Helicobacter pylori needs to be clarified.

In prospective, controlled study of patients with reflux esophagitis without other gastrointestinal disease, the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori was assessed. Antral and corpus biopsy were performed and rapid urease test and Giemsa staining were taken for Helicobacter pylori status.

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori was 43.8%(21/48) in reflux esophagitis and 67.5%(27/40) in reference group. The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori was significantly lower in patients compared with the reference group(p<O.O5). The corpus gastritis was no significant relationship with reflux esophagitis and Helicobacter pylory.

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with reflux esophagitis is significantly lower than in the reference group, irrespective of corpus gastritis. It is suggested that Helicobacter pylori infection have a preventive role to reflux esophagitis, so we may be aware of balance between 'deleterious' and 'beneficial' effects of Helicobacter pylori eradication.