Clinical trial: knowledge of negative Helicobacter pylori status reduces subsequent dyspepsia-related resource use A. C. FORD*, D. FORMAN  , J. NATHAN*, W. D. CROCOMBE à , A. T. R. AXON* & P. MOAYYEDI§ *Centre for Digestive Diseases, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK;  Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Medical School, Leeds University, Leeds, UK; àClinical Trials and Research Unit, Leeds University, Leeds, UK; §Gastroenterology Divi- sion, McMaster University, Health Sciences Center, Hamilton, ON, Canada Correspondence to: Dr A. Ford, Room 7.23, Department of Academic Medicine, Clinical Sciences Building, St James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK. E-mail: alexf12399@yahoo.com Publication data Submitted 21 July 2007 First decision 14 August 2007 Resubmitted 22 August 2007 Accepted 23 August 2007 SUMMARY Background Screening for Helicobacter pylori reduces dyspepsia and dyspepsia- related costs in positive individuals. Aims To assess effect of knowledge of H. pylori status on healthcare-seeking in negative individuals. Methods H. pylori-negative subjects in a community screening programme were randomized to placebo triple therapy or informed of their negative H. pylori status. Dyspepsia-related resource data were extracted from primary care records at 2 years, and National Health Service reference costs were applied to calculate the total cost per subject. Proportions of individuals incurring any cost were compared using a relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Differences in costs were compared using an independent sample t-test. Results A total of 1353 H. pylori-negative individuals were randomized to pla- cebo whilst 1355 were informed of their infection status. In the placebo arm, 212 (16%) subsequently incurred any dyspepsia-related cost com- pared to 172 (13%) informed of their infection status (RR of incurring cost = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.67–0.97). Those informed of their infection status incurred lower costs (mean saving per individual = £11.02; 95% CI: )£3.52 to 25.56). Conclusions H. pylori-negative individuals informed of infection status sought health care for dyspepsia less often than those who were unaware. Population screening may reduce dyspepsia-related costs in uninfected, as well as infected individuals. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 26, 1267–1275 Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics ª 2007 The Authors 1267 Journal compilation ª 2007 Blackwell Publishing Ltd doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2007.03500.x