[Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in primary health care].
OBJECTIVE
To find the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in the population as a whole. To assess its relationship with the associated factors described in other studies.


METHODS
Transversal study of an urban population of 20,000.


METHODS
Between 14 and 80 years old. Randomised sampling of the computerised records (640 clinical histories). Necessary sample n = 384 (alpha = 0.05, prior prevalence = 50%, precision 0.05).


METHODS
Breath test with urea marked (13C), age, sex, alcohol and tobacco consumption, social class and dyspepsia and/or gastro-duodenal pathology.


RESULTS
123 exclusions. 122 losses (23%). 397 people screened, 43.6% male. Average age: 42.6. 41.6% consumed alcohol. 30.5% smoked. Prevalence of dyspepsia, gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, 14%, 2.8%, 2.8% and 2.0%, respectively. Hp prevalence: 56.1% (95% CI, 51.2-60.1). There were no significant differences between prevalence of Hp+ and sex, dyspepsia, peptic ulcer history, gastritis, alcohol consumption and tobacco consumption. Greatest prevalence of Hp+ in over-70s (73%). Significant linear tendency between presence of Hp+ and age (p < 0.05) and low social class (p < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis found a statistically significant relationship only between the presence of H. pylori and age and social class.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence was similar to that in other studies. The relationship between low social class and age and greater Hp prevalence was confirmed. Dyspepsia is not a justification for empirical treatment of Hp. Patients with and without the infection must be followed to evaluate morbidity longitudinally.
Ràfols Crestani
A
A
Unidad Docente de Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria de Girona.
Solanas Saura
P
P
Ramió Pujolràs
G
G
Suelves Esteban
N
N
Rodríguez González
C
C
González Pastor
C
C
Pallarès Segarra
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care
Prevalencia de la infección por Helicobacter pylori en atención primaria de salud.