Helicobacter Pylori Infection and its Relation to Bariatric Surgery Outcome among Slovenian Candidates for Bariatric Surgery

Abstract

H. pylori infection represents a limiting factor in the access to bariatric surgery irrespective to the type of surgical procedure. Preoperative H. pylori screening and eradication is recommended to improve outcomes after bariatric surgery and to cure H. pylori related disease (gastric and extra gastric manifestations) and long term sequences of the infection. The impact of H. pylori in the pathophysiology of obesity, the role of infection in production and secretion of the orexigenic hormone ghrelin and subsequent clinical manifestations of H. pylori infection in obese population is still debated. Lower eradication rates with standard therapeutic regimens reported in obese patients than in the normal-weight population postpone bariatric surgery and related complications and is also to worse long term results. Improvement of eradication strategies and clinical approach is needed improve short and long term outcomes in bariatric surgery patients. Tailored regimen with dose adjustment to BMI might offer a proper clinical approach as presented in small retrospective clinical study.