The prevalence of dyspepsia and use of antisecretory medication in North Glasgow: role of Helicobacter pylori vs. lifestyle factors.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of dyspepsia and associated antisecretory medication usage, and their associations with H. pylori infection in the general population. In addition, to compare the importance of H. pylori infection relative to other potential causes of dyspepsia: alcohol, smoking and obesity.


METHODS
The study examined a random population sample of 784 men and 827 women from Glasgow. They completed a validated dyspepsia questionnaire and had their H. pylori status determined by serology.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of dyspepsia was 12%; prescribed antisecretory medication had been used over the last 6 months by 7%. The odds ratio (95% CI) for dyspepsia, comparing H. pylori-positives to negatives was 1.79 (1.03, 3.09) for men and 1.11 (0.70, 1.78) for women. Ever-smoking (both sexes) and obesity (women) had higher odds ratios for dyspepsia than did H. pylori. Adjustment for age, social class, ever-smoking, ever-drinking and obesity reduced the H. pylori odds ratios for dyspepsia to 1.38 (0.73, 2.60) for men and 0.99 (0. 57, 1.73) for women. The association between H. pylori and antisecretory medication usage was similar to that for dyspepsia.


CONCLUSIONS
Obesity and smoking are more important risk factors, for dyspepsia and antisecretory medication usage, than is H. pylori. Reducing the burden and cost of dyspepsia will require lifestyle modification and not merely H. pylori eradication.
Woodward
M
M
Department of Applied Statistics, The University of Reading, Reading, UK.
Morrison
C E
CE
McColl
K E
KE
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents