A prospective comparison of locally made rapid urease test and histology for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.
BACKGROUND
A number of noncommercial preparations of urease test have been described. The present prospective study evaluated the accuracy of one such preparation for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.


METHODS
From February 1996 to November 1996, all patients undergoing elective upper endoscopy in a single endoscopy facility were included. Three antral biopsy specimens were taken. Two specimens were subjected to histologic examination, and one specimen was placed into a "locally made rapid urease test" (LRUT). Results of histologic examinations were taken as standards for comparison. The final result of LRUT was obtained on scrutiny of color changes at 4 hours after the start of the test.


RESULTS
Two thousand three hundred sixteen patients (male/female = 1.5:1) with a mean age of 56.7 +/- 0.4 years were included. Five hundred sixty-two patients (24.3%) had a history of eradication treatment for H. pylori. Nine hundred fifty-three patients (41.1%) were found to be positive for H. pylori on histologic examination. In patients in whom a history of eradication therapy was absent, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the LRUT were 92.8%, 97.6%, 97.5%, and 93.0%, respectively. In patients with a history of eradication treatment, the corresponding figures were 76.1%, 99.6%, 96.2%, and 96.9%.


CONCLUSIONS
The locally made rapid urease test provides a simple, safe, rapid, inexpensive, and accurate test for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection.
Chu
K M
KM
Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, China.
Poon
R
R
Tuen
H H
HH
Law
S Y
SY
Branicki
F J
FJ
Wong
J
J
D001706:Biopsy; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014510:Urease / Q000032:analysis*
D014510:Urease