Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori Infection among Symptomatic Patients, Correlation with Endoscopic Findings and it’s Association with Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is an important global pathogen infecting approximately 50% of the world’s population. This study was undertaken in order to estimate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infections among symptomatic patients in Lebanese Hospital Geitaoui University Medical Center (HLG-CHU) and Middle East Institute of Health (MEIH), to investigate the associated risk factors, the endoscopic findings and its association with type 2 diabetes. Method: This is an observational analytic case-control study, carried out over a period of 6 months, from January 2016 till June 2016, including all patients complaining of upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. The patients (n=226) were enrolled following same protocol in both the hospitals. All subjects completed a validated questionnaire and underwent upper GI endoscopy. The histo-pathological diagnosis of H. pylori infection in biopsy specimen was done using the modified Giemsa stain. H. Pylori prevalence and associated factors were analysed by Students t-test, Chisquare test and Fisher exact test. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical program SPSS version 22. Results: The overall prevalence was 38.9% with no difference between sexes. There was no association with age, residential region, alcohol and caffeine use and smoking. Low level of education and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) use were the only significant factors. Bloating, nausea and early satiety were significant predictors of H. pylori infection. The most commonly identified endoscopic finding was gastritis (78.3%), only duodenitis and oesophagitis were significantly associated with H. pylori. Prevalence of H. pylori was 38.8% and 39%, respectively, in patients with diabetes and having no diabetes. Conclusion: H. Pylori prevalence was found to be high. Individuals who had low educational level and NSAIDs consumers, were under higher risk of infection than others. H. pylori infection appears not to be associated with diabetes.