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Until quite recently, it was believed that peptic ulcers were caused by stress and lifestyle and that the most effective treatment was a bland diet and rest. However, in 1982, two Australian medical researchers (Barry J Marshall and J Robin Warren) discovered the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and demonstrated its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.1 Thanks to this discovery, millions of people worldwide are now cured of peptic ulcer with a short regimen of antibiotics and acid secretion inhibitors.
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- 1. Marshall BJ, Warren JR. Unidentified curved bacilli in the stomach of patients with gastritis and peptic ulceration. Lancet 1984; 1: 1311-1315.
- 2. Access Economics. Exceptional returns: the value of investing in health R&D in Australia. Canberra: Australian Society for Medical Research, 2003. http://www.accesseconomics.com.au/publicationsreports/getreport.php?report=33&id=40 (accessed Apr 2011).
- 3. Research Australia. Trends in health and medical research funding. Sydney: Research Australia, 2009. http://www.ans.org.au/uploads/neuroissuesdocs/2009_Research_Australia_Trends_H&MR_Funding.pdf (accessed Apr 2011).
- 4. Access Economics. Exceptional returns: the value of investing in health R&D in Australia II. Canberra: Australian Society for Medical Research, 2008. http://www.accesseconomics.com.au/publicationsreports/getreport. php?report=165&id=212 (accessed Apr 2011).
- 5. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Heart, stroke and vascular diseases — Australian facts 2004. Canberra: AIHW and National Heart Foundation of Australia. (AIHW Cat. No. CVD 27. Cardiovascular Disease Series No. 22.)
The George Institute has received grant funding from Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, manufacturer of the polypill currently being trialled, and grant funding and travel assistance for meetings from Servier International.