BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection occurs throughout the world and causes gastroduodenal diseases in all age groups. The prevalence of H. pylori infection varies between countries and races. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in asymptomatic healthy people in South Korea. METHODS: From March 1998 to October 1998, 5732 asymptomatic subjects who responded to the self-assessment questionnaires from 54 hospitals in South Korea were enrolled in this study. The serum levels of antibodies for H. pylori immunoglobulinG were measured by using an ELISA test. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence of H. pylori infection was 46.6% and there was no statistical difference between males (47.2%) and females (45.9%). In adults, a significant difference was observed between genders. According to the geographic areas, the high prevalent provinces were Kangwon (53.4%), Cheju (52.9%) and Cholla province (50.6%); Seoul (41.9%) was the lowest prevalent area. The seroprevalence increased with age and was highest when patients were aged in their 40s (78.5%). The characteristic feature of our study was that the infection rate was steeply increased in three age groups (10-12 year olds, 16-19 year olds and those aged in their 20s). In Seoul, there was no difference in the prevalence rate among the districts studied. CONCLUSIONS: This nation-wide seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in South Korea was 46.6%, which showed the transition from a developing country to a developed country. More studies on the epidemiological factors and the route of transmission of H. pylori infection should be warranted.
BACKGROUND:Helicobacter pyloriinfection occurs throughout the world and causes gastroduodenal diseases in all age groups. The prevalence of H. pyloriinfection varies between countries and races. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of H. pyloriinfection in asymptomatic healthy people in South Korea. METHODS: From March 1998 to October 1998, 5732 asymptomatic subjects who responded to the self-assessment questionnaires from 54 hospitals in South Korea were enrolled in this study. The serum levels of antibodies for H. pylori immunoglobulinG were measured by using an ELISA test. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence of H. pyloriinfection was 46.6% and there was no statistical difference between males (47.2%) and females (45.9%). In adults, a significant difference was observed between genders. According to the geographic areas, the high prevalent provinces were Kangwon (53.4%), Cheju (52.9%) and Cholla province (50.6%); Seoul (41.9%) was the lowest prevalent area. The seroprevalence increased with age and was highest when patients were aged in their 40s (78.5%). The characteristic feature of our study was that the infection rate was steeply increased in three age groups (10-12 year olds, 16-19 year olds and those aged in their 20s). In Seoul, there was no difference in the prevalence rate among the districts studied. CONCLUSIONS: This nation-wide seroprevalence of H. pyloriinfection in South Korea was 46.6%, which showed the transition from a developing country to a developed country. More studies on the epidemiological factors and the route of transmission of H. pyloriinfection should be warranted.
Authors: Soo-Jeong Cho; Il Ju Choi; Chan Gyoo Kim; Jong Yeul Lee; Myeong-Cherl Kook; Moon-Woo Seong; Sook Ryun Park; Jong Seok Lee; Young-Woo Kim; Keun Won Ryu; Jun Ho Lee; Byung-Ho Nam; Young-Iee Park Journal: Gut Liver Date: 2010-12-17 Impact factor: 4.519
Authors: Dong Joon Kim; Hak Yang Kim; Sung Jung Kim; Tae Ho Hahn; Myoung Kuk Jang; Gwang Ho Baik; Jin Bong Kim; Sang Hoon Park; Myung-Seok Lee; Choong Kee Park Journal: Korean J Intern Med Date: 2008-03 Impact factor: 3.165