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Diffusion of knowledge of Helicobacter pylori and its practical application by Nordic clinicians.

BACKGROUND
The knowledge uptake by physicians in five Nordic countries about Helicobacter pylori and gastrointestinal disease was studied.


METHODS
Questionnaires were sent to 1832 general practitioners (GP) and gastroenterologists (GE), and central persons were interviewed in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland.


RESULTS
Half the GEs had heard of H. pylori by 1987 and had begun eradication treatment before 1991, and half the GPs had by 1989 and 1992, respectively. By 1996 this applied to more than 90% of both groups. The most important information sources were national journals for GPs and international journals and conferences for GEs. More than 80% of respondents considered H. pylori causative for peptic ulcer, less than 50% for stomach cancer, and 10% for non-ulcer dyspepsia. Variations between countries were mostly small.


CONCLUSIONS
GPs and GEs in the Nordic countries have knowledge of H. pylori, and there is broad agreement on diagnosis and treatment, although some differences exist.