Endoscopic diagnoses and CLO test results in 9239 cases, prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Istanbul, Turkey.
BACKGROUND
Helicobacter pylori is implicated in the etiology of gastric and duodenal ulcer, non-ulcer dispepsia, atrophic gastritis, gastric adenocarcinoma and lymphoma.


METHODS
Between November 1995 and December 2004, the presence of H. pylori was investigated using the CLO test in 9239 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at a single institution in Istanbul, Turkey. The results were evaluated as early-late positive, and negative.


RESULTS
There were 4667 women (50.51%) with a mean age of 44.5 years (range, 13-90 years), and 4572 men (49.49%) with a mean age of 45.7 years (range, 11-85 years). The CLO test was positive in 41.44% of cases. The most frequent symptoms on admission were epigastric pain (46.2%) and burning (19.6%). The most frequent endoscopic diagnosis was pangastritis (64%) and non-erosive duodenitis (30.5%). The H. pylori positivity was 61.53% during the first 5-year period and 38.47% during the second 5-year period. The H. pylori positivity was significant in patients using non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs and tobacco (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Helicbacter pylori prevelance remains an important health problem for Turkey although it has diminished in parallel to the national development during the last years. Helicbacter pylori, as a first-degree carcinogen, should be investigated and eradicated particularly in high-risk patients.
Sari
Yavuz Selim
YS
Department of General Surgery, Ministry of Health, Istanbul Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. yssari2003@yahoo.com
Sander
Ersan
E
Erkan
Esin
E
Tunali
Vahit
V
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014510:Urease / Q000032:analysis*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D014510:Urease