AIM:To evaluate when Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)eradication therapy(ET)should be started in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding(PUB).METHODS:Clinical data concerning adults hospitalizedwith PUB were retrospectively collected and analyzed.Age,sex,type and stage of peptic ulcer,whether endoscopic therapy was performed or not,methods of H.pylori detection,duration of hospitalization,and specialty of the attending physician were investigated.Factors influencing the confirmation of H.pylori infection prior to discharge were determined using multiple logistic regression analysis.The H.pylori eradication rates of patients who received ET during hospitalization and those who commenced ET as outpatients were compared.RESULTS:A total of 232 patients with PUB were evaluated for H.pylori infection by histology and/or rapid urease testing.Of these patients,53.7%(127/232)had confirmed results of H.pylori infection prior to discharge.In multivariate analysis,duration of hospitalization and ulcer stage were factors independently influencing whether H.pylori infection was confirmed before or after discharge.Among the patients discharged before confirmation of H.pylori infection,13.3%(14/105)were lost to follow-up.Among the patients found to be H.pylori-positive after discharge,41.4%(12/29)did not receive ET.There was no significant difference in the H.pylori eradication rate between patients who received ET during hospitalization a n d t h o s e w h o c o m m e n c e d E T a s o u t p a t i e n t s[intention-to-treat:68.8%(53/77)vs 60%(12/20),P=0.594;per-protocol:82.8%(53/64)vs 80%(12/15),P=0.723].CONCLUSION:Because many patients with PUB who were discharged before H.pylori infection status was confirmed lost an opportunity to receive ET,we should confirm H.pylori infection and start ET prior to discharge. AIM: To evaluate when Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) eradication therapy (ET) should be started in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) .METHODS: Clinical data concerning adults hospitalized with PUB were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Age, sex, type and stage of peptic ulcer, whether endoscopic therapy was performed or not, methods of H. pylori detection, duration of hospitalization, and specialty of the attending physician were investigated. Factors influencing the confirmation of H. pylori infection prior to discharge were determined using multiple logistic regression analysis. The H. pylori eradication rates of patients who received ET during hospitalization and those who commenced ET as outpatients were compared .RESULTS: A total of 232 patients with PUB were evaluated as H. pylori infection by histology and / or rapid urease testing .Of these patients, 53.7% (127/232) had confirmed the efficacy of H. pylori infection prior to discharge. Multivariate analysis, duration of hospitalization and ulcer st age were factors independent influencing whether H. pylori infection was confirmed before or after discharge. Amm the patients discharged before confirmation of H. pylori infection, 13.3% (14/105) were lost to follow-up. Among the patients found to be H .pylori-positive after discharge, 41.4% (12/29) didnt receive ET. There was no significant difference in the H.pylori eradication rate betweenpatients who received ET during hospitalization andthoseocommenced ET asoutpatients [intention-to-treat: 68.8% (53/77 vs 60% (12/20), P = 0.594; per-protocol: 82.8% (53/64) vs 80% (12/15), P = 0.723]. CONCLUSION: Because many patients with PUB who were before before H. pylori infection status was was lost an opportunity to receive ET, we should confirm H. pylori infection and start ET prior to discharge.