Eradicating a common stomach infection does not produce dramatic improvements in people with ulcer symptoms, but does add to the cost of treatment.
The bacterium Helicobacter pylori infects the stomach and is thought to increase the risk of peptic ulcer. It has been believed that eradicating the infection will help heal ulcers. Researchers in California looked at a group of 650 patients to see what effect antibiotic treatment might have on ulcer symptoms.

All these patients were receiving acid-suppression treatment for ulcer symptoms. Half of them received antibiotic treatment, the other half usual care. It turned out that only 17 per cent of patients actually had an ulcer. In the group tested for infection, only 38 per cent actually had H. pylori . After 12 months, those treated for the infection were less likely to have symptoms or need acid-reducing therapy. But 75 per cent were still using antacids in the second half of the trial. Those in the 'test and treat' group had much higher costs linked to their treatment. The study suggests that diagnosis of peptic ulcer should be confirmed before commencing testing for and treating H. pylori . Overall, dramatic relief and cost savings are unlikely with antibiotic treatment.