Effect of Helicobacter pylori Eradication on the Development of Refl ux Esophagitis and Gastroesophageal Refl ux Symptoms: A Nationwide Multi- Center Prospective Study

Background/Aims: A two-year, prospective, nationwide multicenter study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on the development of refl ux esophagitis (RE) and gastroesophageal refl ux disease (GERD) symptoms in the Korean population. Methods: In total, 1,489 subjects without RE were enrolled at the outpatient clinics of 12 tertiary hospitals nationwide, and 452 subjects underwent follow-up (F/U) for 2 years to evaluate the devel-opment of RE and GERD symptoms. Results: RE was found in 33 subjects (7.3 % of 452 subjects) and 14 subjects (7.3% of 192 subjects) during the first and second year of F/U, respectively. H. pylori status was not associated with the de