Does Helicobacter pylori eradication improve the symptoms of globus hystericus?

Kasap E.; Ayhan S.; Yüceyar H.

Does Helicobacter pylori eradication improve the symptoms of globus hystericus?

Date

2013

Authors

Kasap E.

Ayhan S.

Yüceyar H.

Abstract

Background/aims: Globus hystericus is a feeling of a tension in the throat, irrelevant of swallowing, persisting for at least 12 weeks. Since the cause of globus hystericus is not fully described, a controversy exists about the treatment options. We aimed in this study to determine the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, the upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings, prevalence of Helicobacter pylori, and the post-treatment symptoms (symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease and/or Helicobacter pylori) in patients with a diagnosis of globus hystericus. Materials and Methods: In this study, we retrostectively evaluated the medical records of 123 patients who, after the initial diagnosis of globus sensation (globus hystericus) underwent endoscopic examination in the Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy at Celal Bayar University Medical School, and thereafter, were given Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy and were followed in the Gastroenterology outpatient clinic, between January 2009 and August 2010. Results: Helicobacter pylori was positive in seventy-five (60%) of the 123 patients. Heartburn, regurgitation, and inlet patch in the upper esophagus were significantly more frequent in Helicobacter pylori (+) patients than in Helicobacter pylori (-) patients with globus hystericus. Normal endoscopy findings were significantly more common in Helicobacter pylori (-) patients than in Helicobacter pylori (+) patients with globus hystericus. Of patients with eradicated Helicobacter pylori, 27 (50%) reported that globus symptoms had disappeared, while 12 (17.3%) of them had not observed any regression of the symptoms. Improvement of symptoms had a positive correlation with Helicobacter pylori eradication (p=0,001). Conclusions: Helicobacter pylori prevalence among cases with globus sensation is similar to that in the general population. However, Helicobacter pylori eradication was found to decrease the symptoms of globus.