Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms in Bushehr, Iran

Helicobacter pylori is a spiral Gram negative bacterium that has been found to be related to various gastroduodenal diseases. The prevalence of H. pylori infection may vary greatly in different regions. In order to establish a suitable policy for disease control and prevention, it is necessary to perform epidemiologic studies in different geographical regions. This investigation aims to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and to study of some related factors among patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms in Bushehr, Iran. Gastric biopsy samples were collected from 310 patients referred for endoscopy due to different upper gastrointestinal symptoms. FISH was used to detect H. pylori in the specimens. Logistic regression with calculation of odds ratio was used for statistical analysis. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 43.5%. There was a significant difference between the mean age of H. pylori positive (46.59±17.14) and H. pylori negative (42.35±17.3) patients (P= 0.033). There was significant association between H. pylori infection and age of 40 years or more (OR=1.63; P=0.036), employment (OR=1.91; P=0.047), smoking (OR= 2.16; P = 0.008), keeping domestic animals (OR=1.74; P=0.043), drinking tap water (OR=1.75; P= 0.025), and blood group O (OR=3.21; P=0.0001). The prevalence of H. pylori infection is considerable in Bushehr. The present study shows that several factors are significantly associated with H. pylori infection in Bushehr, of which some factors are modifiable. It is probable that modification of these factors can lead to decrease the prevalence of H. pylori infection in community.