Analysis of risk factors for ulcer recurrence and upper gastrointestinal bleeding in children with peptic ulcer treated with Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy

BACKGROUND: The incidence of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) has been increasing yearly, especially in the adolescent population. The eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) may reduce recurrence and bleeding to some extent, but it does not completely change the clinical status of PUD. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the risk factors for ulcer recurrence and upper gastrointestinal bleeding after H. pylori eradication therapy in order to provide a reference for reducing the risk of PUD and improving the quality of life of patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 536 adolescent patients who developed peptic ulcer and received H. pylori eradication therapy from June 2016 to July 2021. The relationship between the clinical characteristics of the patients and gastrointestinal bleeding and recurrence was analyzed using the t-test and chi-squared test. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors for the occurrence of bleeding and recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 536 patients were included in this retrospective study. Gender, history of ulcers, number, size, location and staging of ulcers, and application of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and other characteristics were significantly different between the bleeding and nonbleeding groups (P<0.05); family history of upper gastrointestinal ulcer, history of ulcers, number and size of ulcers and application of NSAIDs, and other characteristics were significantly different between the recurrent and nonrecurrent groups (P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that history of ulcers, number and location of ulcers, coagulation abnormalities, and other characteristics were independent risk factors for the occurrence of bleeding; the occurrence of previous bleeding, number and size of ulcers, and other characteristics were independent risk factors for recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: In the clinical treatment of adolescent patients, it is important to pay high attention to clinical characteristics, such as the patient’s previous ulcer history, the size, number and location of ulcers, and coagulation function, so as to adopt individualized treatment methods to effectively reduce the harmfulness of the disease in response to the risk factors of ulcer bleeding and recurrence after H. pylori eradication therapy. This can decrease the occurrence of complications and improve the prognosis of patients.