Characteristics of gastroduodenal ulcers in patients with negative biopsies for Helicobacter pylori

To evaluate the clinical, epidemiological and endoscopic characteristics of the Helicobacter pylori (Hp) negative peptic ulcer disease. In this cross sectional study we included 651 patients diagnosed of peptic ulcer disease between January 2000 and December 2005. The diagnosis of Hp infection was established by histology. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with and without Hp infection were compared. Males prevailed (69%). Hp negative ulcers were older (57.73 +/- 19.44 years old vs 50.26 +/- 18, 64 years old, P < 0.001). Clinical characteristics did not differ among both groups. Duodenal ulcer prevailed in Hp positive patients (56.5%) and gastric ulcer in Hp negative patients (53.5%). Multiple ulcers and intestinal metaplasia were more frequently found in Hp negative cases [9.3% vs 4.5% (P = 0.015) and 34.5% vs 22.1% (P = 0.001), respectively]. CONCLUSION. Hp negative peptic ulcer disease is found in older patients, with a higher frequency of gastric ulcers, multiple lesions and intestinal metaplasia.