The Korean Perspective of Helicobacter pylori Infection: Lessons from Japan Policy to Prevent Gastric Cancer

The guideline of the Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research group for Helicobacter pylori infection was first produced in 1998. Definite indication for H. pylori eradication is early gastric cancer in addition to the previous indications of peptic ulcer (PUD) including scar lesion and marginal zone B cell lymphoma (MALT type). Though treatment regimen was similar, Japan government declared the inclusion of H. pylori eradication in patients with H. pylori-associated chronic gastritis, suggesting the treatment guideline is quite different between Korea and Japan from February 21, 2013. The prime rationale of Japanese extended treatment guideline for H. pylori infection was based on the drastic intention to prevent gastric cancer according to their beliefs that H. pylori eradication can decrease gastric cancer incidence as well as mortality. In this review, the discrepancy in treatment guideline between Korea and Japan will be explained.