Correlation of upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings with helicobacter pylori infection at the university of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu

Abstract

The recognition that Helicobacter pylori plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of several gastroduodenal pathologies makes its diagnosis necessary in many different circumstances. The incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection in all patients who were referred for Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Examination at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) from March 1997 to January 1998 was studied using the Campylobacter - like organisms (CLO) test which is a rapid urease test performed on gastric mucosal biopsies. Out of 152 consecutive patients who were examined during the 11 month period, 86 were females and 66 were males. The endoscopic findings included gastritis which was present in 87 patients, duodenitis 23, gastroesophageal reflux disease 18, duodenal ulcer 11, gastric ulcer 2, significant bile reflux 14 and gastric cancer 1. No abnormality was detected in 46 patients. The CLO test was positive in 99 of the 152 patients (65.13%). Only one duodenal ulcer patient had a negative CLO test. Patients in whom significant bile reflux was observed had a greater tendency to be CLO negative rather than positive. The possible therapeutic implications of these are discussed.

Keywords

• gastrointestinal endoscopy
• helicobacter pylori