Helicobacter pylori: when is treatment now indicated?

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Western societies has rapidly declined, as reflected by the consistent decline in peptic ulcer disease. Nevertheless, there remains a cohort of the elderly population with a high prevalence of H. pylori infection. While the benefits of H. pylori eradication for H. pylori-associated duodenal ulcer disease is beyond dispute, a number of contentious areas remains. The aim of the present paper is to review the benefits of H. pylori eradication in clinical situations that may confront the non-gastroenterologist.