Predictors of Helicobacter pylori infectivity, Using Stool Antigen Test in Al- Qurna

Abstract

Aim: To identify   predictors of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infectivity, Using stool antigen   test with its correlations to epigastric abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients &methods: Patients   from Al Qurna presented to private clinic with epigastric abdominal pain each of them has been screened for H pylori via stool antigen test, after evaluations of other causes of abdominal pain. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version-15              Results:  a   total   of 254     patients   142 (55.9%) were    males   and 112 (44.1%) were    females were studied.  H pylori   stool antigen was positive in 69 (27.2 %) and negative in 185 (72.8%) of the   studied patients. Gastrointestinal symptoms that were observed included weight loss, loss of appetite (3.6%), heart burn (60.6%), vomiting (28.3%), diarrhea (7.1%), constipation (15.4%) and abdomen distension (24%). In 59.3% of the H. pylori antigen positive cases, the duration   of epigastric pain was of >two weeks. Conclusions:   logistic regression analysis indicated that epigastric abdominal   pain of > two weeks and loss of appetite were two significant predictors of H. Pylori infection.