title: The prevalence of helicobacter pylori infection in patients with reflux esophagitis - our experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The role of Helicobacter pylori in esophageal disease has not been clearly defined. To clarify this issue, we analyzed 120 patients with histologically confirmed esophageal disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study, 120 patients who underwent upper endoscopy examination were included; among them 70 patients with clinically, endoscopically and histologically confirmed GERD, and 50 patients with BE. This investigation was performed in the Clinic of Gastrohepatology in Prishtina, during the period: June 2009-December 2011. Each patient was investigated for H. pylori infection, by performing biopsy for HUT test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In BE group, H. pylori infection was present in 16.0% of patients. In GERD group, H. pylori infection was present in 42.9%, and in patients of the control group, in 52.0% of cases. So, in BE group, the prevalence of H. pylori infection showed less significant difference, compared to the control group (P = 0.003) and in GERD group (P = 0.0035). Between GERD group and the control group there was no significant difference (GERD vs. G control. P = 0.421).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with BE (16%) was lower in comparison with patients with GERD (42.9%) and with control group (p <0.01). The prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with BE, especially those with LSBE (9.1%) was very low, which indicates a possible protective role of this microorganism.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Gastroenterology, University Clinical Center, Prishtina, Republic of Kosova.
authors.forename: Zaim
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gashi
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Gastroenterology, University Clinical Center, Prishtina, Republic of Kosova.
authors.forename: Fadil
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sherifi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, University Clinical Center, Prishtina, Republic of Kosova.
authors.forename: Ragip
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shabani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D063826:Kosovo / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: Barret’s esophagus; H pylori infection; HUT-test; biopsy; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)