Living Conditions and Helicobacter pylori in Adults

Abstract

Introduction Infection by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is transmissible and is considered a public health issue which affects people of all ages. The objective of this study was to identify factors (lifestyles, dietary factors, and hygiene conditions) related to the prevalence of H. pylori infection. Methods We carried out an observational cross-sectional study with a community sample of adults from the municipalities of Viseu and Sátão, Portugal. The final sample resulted in 166 adults. The data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire with questions regarding sociodemographic aspects and lifestyles. H. pylori infection was identified using the 13C-urea breath test. Results No association was found between the prevalence of H. pylori infection and the use of tobacco, alcohol, or coffee or dietary factors. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was higher in adults who reported higher consumption of fried food and lower consumption of vegetables and fruit. H. pylori infection was significant for the variables of lower frequency of handwashing before going to the bathroom (p = 0.02) and well water consumption (p = 0.05). Conclusion A significant association was found for H. pylori infection with the lower frequency of handwashing before going to the bathroom and the consumption of well water.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among junior high school students in Grudziadz, Poland

“…It is not surprising as in Poland living in the old district generally reflects a combination of lower socioeconomic status, poorer hygiene, inadequate sanitation conditions, and overcrowding when compared to the new district. Associations between all the factors mentioned above and the prevalence of H. pylori infection have been previously documented . However, the risk of H. pylori infection was only modestly increased.…”

Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Risk Factors of Helicobacter pylori Infection

“…H. pylori DNA was also detected in well water in Japan, whose consumers were detected positive for H. pylori infection (Horiuchi et al 2001). Accordingly, a study conducted in Germany indicated a positive association for H. pylori infection and consumption of well water (Strebel et al 2010), as also reported in Portugal (Amaral et al 2017). In addition, a river water-associated H. pylori contamination has also been suggested in Japan (Fujimura et al 2008).…”

Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection

“…An observational cross‐sectional study on 166 adults in Portugal found a higher prevalence of H. pylori in adults with a lower consumption of vegetables and fruit and higher consumption of fried food; in addition, lower frequency of handwashing before going to the bathroom and well water consumption was also found to be risk factors, whereas no association was demonstrated with tobacco, alcohol, coffee or other dietary factors …”

“…An observational cross-sectional study on 166 adults in Portugal 5 found a higher prevalence of H. pylori in adults with a lower consumption of vegetables and fruit and higher consumption of fried food; in addition, lower frequency of handwashing before going to the bathroom and well water consumption was also found to be risk factors, whereas no association was demonstrated with tobacco, alcohol, coffee or other dietary factors. 40 The relationship of H. pylori seroprevalence and CagA seroprevalence to a number of dietary factors was addressed in a study of 294 adult asymptomatic blood donors in Bulgaria. 41 Frequent (>5 days per week) honey consumption was associated with both reduced H. pylori seroprevalence (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.473-0.967) and reduced CagA IgG seroprevalence (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.486-0859).…”