Background and Objectives: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection is decreasing in the Western world, while remaining high in developing countries. There is limited up-to-date information about the prevalence of H. pylori in Central and Eastern Europe. The aim of our study was to assess the seroprevalence of H. pylori and its trend over the past 25 years among students of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LUHS) and to assess its relation to dyspeptic symptoms. Materials and Methods: In the years 1995, 2012, 2016 and 2020, students from Medical and Nursing Faculties of LUHS were tested for the presence of antibodies against H. pylori by performing serological tests from finger capillary blood. In addition, in the years 2012, 2016 and 2020, the students completed a gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS) questionnaire in order to assess dyspeptic symptoms. The study population consisted of 120 students in the year 1995 (mean age—21.3 ± 1.0 years), 187 students in the year 2012 (mean age—22.4 ± 0.7 years), 262 students in the year 2016 (mean age—20.4 ± 1.0 years) and 148 students in the year 2020 (mean age—20.4 ± 1.7 years). Results: The seroprevalence for H. pylori was positive in 62 (51.7%) students in 1995, in 57 (30.4%) students in 2012, in 69 (26.3%) students in 2016 and in 21 (14.2%) students in 2020. The statistically significant difference was found between all study years, except between 2012 and 2016. There were no significant differences in frequency and intensity of upper dyspeptic symptoms between H. pylori positive and negative students. Conclusions: Over the last 25 years the seroprevalence of H. pylori among students of LUHS has decreased significantly. No consistent differences in dyspeptic symptoms among H. pylori positive and negative subgroups were found.
Background It is well known that skin lesions may be frequent extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). During literature analysis we found out that there is an obvious lack of epidemiological data regarding this issue. Therefore, the aim of our study was to establish the prevalence of skin lesions among consecutive IBD patients in outpatient department. Methods Prospective study included out-patients with IBD who were managed in the hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences from January to October of 2022. Patients completed the questionnaires including the demographic and the IBD data and history or present state of cutaneous lesions. We considered skin lesions related to IBD or its treatment if they were diagnosed following the diagnosis of IBD. Skin lesions which were reported before the diagnosis of IBD were considered as not related to IBD. Results 152 patients were included, mean age (MA) – 42.0±13.9 years. There were 88 (57.9%) males and 64 (42.1%) females. Ulcerative colitis (UC) was diagnosed in 110 (72.4%) patients, Crohn’s disease (CD) – in 42 (27.6%) patients. MA of UC patients was 42.3±13.6, CD – 41.1±14.9, p>0.05. In total, skin lesions were indicated by 65 (42.8%) subjects. According to our criteria, in 46 (30.3%; 95% CI: 23-38%) cases, skin lesions were considered as obviously related to IBD or its treatment. We further analyzed latter cases. Among UC patients, 32 (29.1%; 95% CI: 20-38%) had skin lesions related to IBD, among CD patients – 14 (33.3%; 95% CI: 18-48%), p>0.05. Erythema nodosum was diagnosed in 6 (3.9%) patients, pyoderma gangrenosum – 5 (3.3%), acne – 1 (0.7%), psoriasis – 9 (5.9%), vitiligo – 2 (1.3%), epidermolysis bullosa acquisita – 1 (0.7%), hemorrhagic vasculitis – 1 (0.7%), eczema – 9 (5.9%), allergic rash – 4 (2.6%). The comparison of different skin lesions among UC and CD patients is presented in table 1. Among the patients with UC proctitis, skin lesions were reported in 2 of 15 (13.3%) patients; among left-sided colitis – in 8 of 27 (29.6%); among pancolitis – in 22 of 67 (32.8%), p=0.03 between the groups of proctitis and pancolitis. Comparing the different forms of CD, skin lesions were reported in 3 of 15 (20.0%) patients with ileitis, 4 of 10 (40.0%) patients with colitis and 7 of 17 (41.2%) patients with ileocolitis; p>0.05 between different groups. Conclusion In our series the prevalence of skin lesions obviously related to IBD or its treatment is 30.3%. There were no differences in the prevalence of skin lesions between the UC and CD patients. The most common skin lesions in UC were psoriasis and skin eczema, in CD – erythema nodosum and skin eczema. Cutaneous lesions were significantly more prevalent in extensive UC compared to distal disease.
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