1Dr Muhammad Sboor, 2Dr Ali, 3Dr Abdul Qadir Khan, 4Dr Muhammad Javed, 5Dr
Muhammad Adnan

Association Between Helicobacter pylori
Infection and Recurrent Peptic Ulcer Disease

Abstract:

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a frequent gastrointestinal disorder and recurrence of
ulceration continues to be an important clinical problem. Helicobacter pylori infection is an
important etiologic factor in the development of peptic ulcer disease and may play a role in
recurrence by means of prolonged stomach inflammation and degradation of mucosal defenses. Knowing whether H. pylori infection is linked with recurrent ulcer illness is vital so that
diagnosis and treatment can be done appropriately.To examine the correlation of Helicobacter
pylori infection with recurrent peptic ulcer illness in patients presenting to Gajju Khan Medical
College and Bacha Khan Medical Complex, Swabi.An analytical cross-sectional study was
undertaken in a hospital for a period of 6 months, from January 2026 to June 2026. Consecutive
sampling was used to cover a total of 190 adult individuals having a history and clinical or
endoscopic evidence of recurrent peptic ulcer disease. Demographic variables, clinical features, NSAID use, smoking, alcohol intake, past H. pylori eradication therapy and endoscopic findings
were documented in a structured proforma. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by suitable
diagnostic means such as quick urease testing, histopathology, stool antigen testing or urea
breath testing as appropriate. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Associations
were evaluated by Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test and independent predictors of recurrent
peptic ulcer disease were determined by multivariable logistic regression. A p-value <0.05 was
judged statistically significant.Of the 190 subjects, 128 (67.4%) were positive and 62 (32.6%)
were negative for H. pylori. 91 (71.1%) of the H. pylori-positive patients had recurrent peptic
ulcer illness compared to 27 (43.5%) of the H. pylori-negative subjects. There was statistically
GlobalHealth & Medicine. 2026; 8(3):358-372. Original Article
DOI:10.35772/ghm.2026.01072
significant correlation between H. pylori infection and recurrence of peptic ulcer disease
(χ2=12.83, p<0.001). On univariate analysis, H. pylori infection was related with higher risks of
recurrence (OR 3.20, 95% CI 1.68–6.09; p<0.001). H. pylori infection remained an independent
predictor of recurrent peptic ulcer disease (AOR 2.84, 95% CI 1.43–5.64; p=0.003) after
accounting for possible confounding factors.Helicobacter pylori infection was found to be
substantially linked with recurrent peptic ulcer disease in the examined group. Even after
adjustment for other relevant characteristics, patients with H. pylori infection had significantly
odds of recurrent ulceration. Early diagnosis and adequate eradication of H. pylori together with
control of other modifiable risk factors may help in reducing recurrence and consequences.

Keywords:

Helicobacter pylori; peptic ulcer disease; recurrent peptic ulcer; gastric ulcer;
duodenal ulcer; NSAIDs; recurrence.

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