Abstract
The aims of this study were to demonstrate the trends in seropositivity and the eradication therapy rate for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) over an 18-year period in an asymptomatic Korean population and to explore the factors associated with H. pylori seropositivity and its eradication therapy. In total, 23,770 subjects (aged 17–97 years) from a health examination center participated in this cross-sectional study from January 2016 to June 2017. Questionnaires that included questions about the participants’ H. pylori eradication therapy history were collected, and anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies were measured. Among the eligible subjects, the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection was 41.5%. The H. pylori eradication therapy rate increased continuously from 2005 (13.9%) to 2011 (19.3%) and then increased again until the first half of 2017 (23.5%) (P < 0.001). After exclusion of subjects with a history of gastric surgery, gastric cancer, H. pylori eradication therapy, or gastric symptoms, H. pylori seropositivity was 43.9% in 16,885 subjects, which was significantly lower than the seropositivities in 1998 (66.9%), 2005 (59.6%), and 2011 (54.4%). The risk factors associated with H. pylori seropositivity according to multivariable analysis were male sex (odds ratio (OR) 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23–1.46), medium educational level (OR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.05–1.31), medium household income level (OR 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03–1.19), and age of 60–69 years (OR 8.78, 95% CI: 6.41–11.85). The observed downward trend in H. pylori seroprevalence and increase in H. pylori eradication over the 18-year period will affect upper gastrointestinal disorders in South Korea.
Highlights
Helicobacter pylori (HP) thrives on gastric mucosa in humans and is a major causative factor in peptic ulcer disease and gastritis [1]
The aims of this study were to investigate the trends in the seroprevalence and the eradication therapy rate of HP infection, and to evaluate the factors associated with HP seropositivity over time from 1998 to the first half of 2017 in asymptomatic Korean adults stratified by province
The 10 healthcare centers that participated in this study were secondary or tertiary academic hospitals located in Seoul and the nine provinces of South Korea, namely, Gyeonggi, Kangwon, North and South Chungcheong, North and South Cholla, North and South Kyungsang, and Jeju (Fig 1)
Summary
Helicobacter pylori (HP) thrives on gastric mucosa in humans and is a major causative factor in peptic ulcer disease and gastritis [1]. It has been implicated as a factor contributing to gastric adenocarcinoma, gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and extragastrointestinal diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, immunologic impairment, and asthma [1,2,3]. One-third of all adults in Northern Europe and North America are infected with HP, and the prevalence is higher than 50% in Africa, Central and South America, Asia, and Southern and Eastern Europe [4]. HP infection affects more than half the adult population, with some geographical variation in that estimate [5]. The lower prevalence of HP infection in developed countries than in developing countries has been attributed to better hygiene and living conditions, which reduce the spread of HP [6,7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
