Kanem Journal of Medical Sciences (Jan 2011)
PREVALENCE OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH GASTO-DUODENAL DISEASES IN JOS, NIGERIA
Abstract
Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has become topical over the last three decades particularly with regards to its association with gastro-duodenal disease. High prevalence rates of this ubiquitous bacterium have been reported in both symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects especially in low socioeconomic communities. Objective: The objectives of this study was to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with gastroduodenal disease in jos Nigeria. Method: A cross-sectional study of consecutive patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was carried out at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). At endoscopy two pairs each of antral and corpus gastric biopsies were taken from each patient and evaluated for the presence H. pylori infection using the rapid urease test. Result: The prevalence of H. pylori from this study was found to be 90.1% in those with organic disease at endoscopy (organic dyspepsia) and 84% in those with no pathology detected at endoscopy (non-ulcer dyspepsia). There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence rates of H. pylori in the two groups (p value 0.0076). The prevalence of the bacterium in patients with organic disease at endoscopy showed the highest prevalence in those with duodenal ulcer 16/17 (94.1%), followed by duodenits 6/7 (85.7%), gastritis 8/9 (88.9%) and gastric ulcer ½ (50%) respectively. Four out of five (80%) of those with reflux oesophagitis and ½ (50%) of those with candida oesophagitis also tested positive to H. pylori. One patient each who had Barrett's esophagus and hiatus hermia were negative for H. pylori. Conclusion: Helicobacter pylori infection in common among patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy irrespective of the underlying pathology. This may be a reflection of the generally high prevalence rates of this ubiquitous bacterium in the community. Therefore the presence of H. pylori infection should be interpreted with caution by clinicians before treatment. Evidence based protocol need to be developed by experts to guide clinicians in optimally caring for dyspeptic patients in our community.
