[Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in primary care: sero-epidemiological study].
OBJECTIVE
To find the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in primary care in our area and to study factors associated with this infection.


METHODS
Descriptive and prospective study.Setting. Urban health district with 30 765 people registered.


METHODS
267 patients, selected by quota sampling from the census of age and sex groups, as a function of an alpha of 0.05, 0.06 accuracy, and expected prevalence of 50%.


METHODS
HP infection was studied through validated IgG serology (ELISA Wampole(R)). The following were studied as associated factors: age, sex, education, profession, alcohol and tobacco consumption, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs taken.


RESULTS
Mean age was 38.4, and 51.3% were women. Prevalence of HP infection was 52.4% (95% CI, 46.4-58.4). This proportion increased steadily with age, with a minimum of 11.5% in the 0-9 years-old range and a maximum of 87.5% in the 60-69 years-old group. There was more HP in men (56.9%) than in women (48.2%). In univariate analysis a linear tendency was found between HP infection and increased age (P<.0001) and the consumption of alcohol (P=.003), with no relationship to other variables studied. In the multivariate analysis, only age maintained statistical significance (P=.001).


CONCLUSIONS
In our area the prevalence of HP infection is similar to that in other studies: it increases steadily with age and shows en epidemiological pattern that is half-way between countries of high and low prevalence.
Baena Diez
J M
JM
Médico de Familia. Area Basica de Salud Dr. Carles Ribas, Barcelona, Spain. jbaenad@meditex.es
García Lareo
M
M
Martí Fernández
J
J
León Marín
I
I
Muñiz Llama
D
D
Teruel Gila
J
J
Baena Díez
J M
JM
Rams Rams
F
F
Hernández Ibáñez
M R
MR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
Prevalencia de la infección por Helicobacter pylori en atención primaria: estudio seroepidemiológico.