Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in the Slovak Republic.
OBJECTIVE
The prevalence of H. pylori differs significantly both between and within countries. In general infection correlates inversely to socioeconomic conditions. The aim of our study was to asses the prevalence and social determinants of H. pylori in a sample of Slovak population aged 18+ years by means of 13C-urea breath test (UBT).


METHODS
Participants were randomly chosen according to their workplace. Balanced distribution by county was not a condition. H. pylori status was investigated by means of UBT. Cut-off for negativity of H. pylori for delta over baseline (DOB) was 3.5. Participants' health status and social characteristics were based on data from self-completed questionnaires.


RESULTS
Epidemiological research was done on sample of 1838 responders (39% men, 61% women). Responders had in 6% basic general education, in 41% high school education, in 53% academic education. In 645 responders (35%) the UBT was positive. Most frequent indicated complaints were meteorism, nausea and pyrosis (26%, 20% and 18%). By comparing the data from questionnaires we found only statistical significant results showing an increase of H. pylori infection by age. All the results of our study were statistical non-significant.


CONCLUSIONS
In summary, the overall current prevalence of H. pylori in the Slovak republic was 35%.
Gastroentero-Hepatological Center, Bratislava, Slovakia. kuzela@thalion.sk
Ladislav
L
Kuzela
Marian
M
Oltman
Jarolim
J
Sutka
Barbora
B
Zacharova
Martin
M
Nagy
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D001944:Breath Tests; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D018154:Slovakia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult