The prevalence of helicobacter pylori among dyspeptic patients in an earthquake-stricken area

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative, spiral-shaped, urease-producing bacterium with multiple unipolar flagella. Humans are a major reservoir for H. pylori; however, there are no data on the prevalence of H. pylori among dyspeptic patients who have experienced natural disasters. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of H. pylori in dyspeptic patients who survived a recent natural disaster and to compare the data between the pre-disaster and post-disaster periods.METHODS:Between December 2011 and February 2012 (∼ one month following an earthquake), 209 dyspeptic patients who underwent gastroscopy were included in the study. For microorganism identification, gastric biopsy materials from the 209 disaster survivors with dyspeptic complaints were tested for urease activity in a medium containing urea and a pH indicator. The obtained results were compared with pre-disaster data from dyspeptic patients in the same city during the corresponding period of the previous year. Furthermore, the current H. pylori prevalence was evaluated among 139 dyspeptic patients between January 2014 and May 2014.RESULTS:We found a significantly higher prevalence of H. pylori in disaster survivors with dyspepsia compared with dyspeptic patients in the pre-disaster period (p<0.005). Interestingly, the current H. pylori prevalence was found to be significantly higher than the prevalence in both the disaster and pre-disaster periods (p<0.005).CONCLUSION:These results suggest that a recent earthquake could contribute to the development of H. pylori infection in subjects who live in the disaster-stricken area. These data also highlight the exceptionally high H. pylori prevalence in dyspeptic patients. Regional variations require further analyses.

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Hispanics living in Puerto Rico: A population‐based study

“…Infectious disease outbreaks are a major concern after a natural disaster given the limited access to food and safe drinkable water, overcrowded shelters, poor hygiene practices, exposition to wastewater, and inadequate access to medical care 44. Studies have described an increase in H. pylori infections among individuals who survived natural disasters 45. Therefore, a better understanding of the risk factors associated with H. pylori infection in this Hispanic population will be of the utmost importance given the established association between H. pylori and gastric cancer, and the high burden of this malignancy in Puerto Rico.…”

“…44 Studies have described an increase in H. pylori infections among individuals who survived natural disasters. 45 Therefore, a better understanding of the risk factors associated with H. pylori infection in this Hispanic population will be of the utmost importance given the established association between H. pylori and gastric cancer, and the high burden of this malignancy in Puerto Rico.…”

Helicobacter pylori infection among patients presenting with dyspepsia at a primary care setting in Cameroon: seroprevalence, five-year trend and predictors

“…The United Kingdom, National Institute of Health and Care Excellence defines it more broadly as; any symptom of the upper gastrointestinal tract, present for 4 weeks or more, including upper abdominal pain or discomfort, heartburn, acid reflux, nausea, or vomiting [12]. Dyspeptic individuals are over two times more likely to be H. pylori positive, than asymptomatic persons [13]. In addition, dyspepsia is usually the first warning sign for conditions such as peptic ulcers and gastric cancers [14].…”

Genotyping of Helicobacter pylori Virulence Genes cagA and vacA: Regional and National Study

“…The prevalence of H. pylori infection in different countries is variable. For instance, it is more than 80% in many areas such as Japan, South America, Turkey, and Pakistan, while in England it is lower (20%) [ 19 ].…”