Prevalence of <i>Helicobacte</i><i>r</i><i>pylor</i><i>i</i> Infection and Chronic Dyspeptic Symptoms among Immigrants from Developing Countries and People Born in Industrialized Countries

Abstract

The relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and chronic dyspepsia is controversial. To determine the effect of H. pylori infection on dyspeptic symptoms, we compared the prevalence of H. pylori infection in immigrants from developing countries and people born in industrialized countries. Upper abdominal symptoms were assessed by a questionnaire and H. pylori infection was determined with a 13C-urea breath test and serology. H. pylori infection was found in 63% of subjects from developing countries and 11% of subjects from industrialized countries. There was no difference in the prevalence of dyspeptic symptoms between the 2 groups. The lack of difference in chronic dyspeptic symptoms between the groups, despite a major difference in the H. pylori prevalence, suggests that H. pylori infection is not a major contributor to chronic dyspepsia.

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in New York City Populations Originating in East Asia

“…22 Thus, in developed countries such as the United States, this difference represents an important disparity between native and immigrant populations. 6,23 Such disparities tend to affect major urban centers such as New York, in which the impact of immigration is disproportionately higher than in other parts of the United States. Given the high seroprevalence of H. pylori among adults in East Asian countries, it was not surprising that this study found that more than 70% of the adult 24 symptomatic patients with different ethnic backgrounds (43% in African American, 20% in Hispanic, and 11% in Caucasian), 25 or even among Caucasian patients with upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms that we observed at the VA Medical Center in Manhattan (64%).…”

“…[1][2][3][4] In developing countries, the prevalence of H. pylori in adults is much higher, varying less, and less dependent on age and socioeconomic status. 5,6 Not surprisingly, the prevalence of H. pylori is higher among immigrants to developed countries compared with native-born residents. 7,8 Immigration to the United States has been occurring at the highest rate since World War II, 9 with most immigrants from developing countries where H. pylori is highly prevalent in young adult populations.…”

“…7,8 Immigration to the United States has been occurring at the highest rate since World War II, 9 with most immigrants from developing countries where H. pylori is highly prevalent in young adult populations. 6 Although there are variations in The goal of this study was to perform a preliminary survey of H. pylori seroprevalence in East Asian-born populations living in New York City, with particular emphasis on the Chinese community, and to identify risk factors associated with H. pylori status.…”

Low Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection evaluated by stool antigen test in preschool and school children

“…Despite its great prevalence in developing countries, the epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection is not yet well understood. There are risky groups identified, including people who spent their infancy in developing countries (15), some ethnic groups (1) and health workers (2). In developed countries, the prevalence of the infection in children is typically less than 10%, and incidence rates are lower than 1%, whereas in developing countries the prevalence in children is greater than 25%, and the incidence ranges from 6 to 14% by year (8,14).…”

Does the risk of stomach cancer remain among second-generation immigrants in Sweden?

“…It was suggested that childhood infection with H. pylori would be a possible cause [14,15]. The prevalence of H. pylori varies from more than 80% among middle-aged adults in developing countries to less than 20% in developed countries [15,16]. A change in the seroprevalence of H. pylori to the rate of that in host country has been reported among secondgeneration immigrants whose parents moved from high-risk countries [17,18].…”