Background:This study was aimed at evaluating the role of Helicobacter pylori in erosive gastroduodenitis and the necessity for its eradication.Material/Methods:A total of forty-nine consecutive patients who presented with hematemesis and or melena and proved to have erosive gastroduodenitis on endoscopy were included in the study. H. pylori status was determined by urease, histology and serology. The presence of at least two positive tests was considered as positive H. pylori status. The erosion sites were noted and classified according to predominance. Correlation of H. pylori status was done between NSAID users and non-users.Results:28 males and 21 females comprised the study group. H. pylori positivity was 43% in men and 52% in women (p=0.51); the overall H. pylori positivity rate was 47%. 39 patients had taken NSAIDs and three had taken indigenous drugs, which did not belong to the group of NSAIDs. The H. pylori status of drug users and non-users was 48% and 43% respectively (p=0.57) Erosions were most common in the body of the stomach (61%) compared to the antrum (23%), fundus (10%) and duodenum (6%).Conclusions:Erosive gastroduodenitis is commonly associated with NSAID intake. The body of the stomach is the most common site of erosions. Only 47% of patients with erosive gastritis have a positive H. pylori status. The H. pylori status between drug users and non-users was not significantly different. Eradication of H. pylori is not indicated in patients with erosive gastroduodenitis.

Keywords: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - adverse effects, Antibodies, Bacterial - blood, Breath Tests, Chi-Square Distribution, Duodenitis - chemically induced, Duodenitis - microbiology, Gastritis - chemically induced, Gastritis - microbiology, Helicobacter Infections - diagnosis, Helicobacter Infections - physiopathology, Helicobacter pylori, Immunoglobulin G - blood, Melena - etiology, Prevalence, Urease