Accuracy of Diagnostic Tests for Helicobacter pylori Infection

The diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection is based on invasive and non-invasive methods. The present study was carried out to evaluate the accuracy of three non-invasive and one invasive methods either separately or in combination for detection of Helicobacter pylori. A total of 108 dyspeptic patients older than 12 years who had not previously been treated for H. pylori infection were selected for upper GI-endoscopy. Histology was considered as a gold standard diagnostic test. Urea breath test, histologic examination and rapid urease test were done in endoscopy unit. Serology and stool anigen detection test were done in hematology unit of Nour Laboratory using ELISA Method.Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated. The tests results were compared using the McNemar test. According to histologic method, 56 patients had H. pylori infection. Sensitivities and specificities were 89% and 71% for the rapid urease test, 94% and 52% for serology, 90% and 82% for the urea breath test, and 46% and 80% for the stool test respectively. The most accurate combination test was rapid urease test and urea breath test. Rapid urease test and urea breath test in combination showed excellent diagnostic reliability.