Harrison's PodClass: Internal Medicine Cases and Board Prep Ep 144: A 35-Year-Old with Burning Abdominal Pain
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May 1, 2025 A fascinating case of a 35-year-old man with burning abdominal pain reveals the complexities of Helicobacter pylori infection. The discussion dives into its global prevalence, treatment options, and the connection to chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers. Listeners learn about the critical need for post-treatment confirmation of H. pylori eradication, highlighting the importance of tailored approaches to therapy. The episode concludes with insights into the broader implications of H. pylori on gastrointestinal health and cancer risks.
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H. pylori Global Prevalence Insight
- Helicobacter pylori colonizes about 50% of the world's population, often lifelong unless treated.
- Prevalence varies globally, lower in developed regions, higher in areas with crowded, poor childhood conditions.
H. pylori and Gastric Disease
- H. pylori infection almost always causes chronic gastritis but only 10-15% develop peptic ulcers.
- Not all duodenal and gastric ulcers are linked to H. pylori consistently.
Cancer Risks of H. pylori
- H. pylori increases risk for gastric adenocarcinoma and lymphoma, but less than 10% of colonized develop these cancers.
- Eradicating H. pylori is important to reduce these cancer risks.
