Richard H Lee1, Vivien L Pan, Deborah A Wing. 1. Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center, Women's and Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. richarhl@usc.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori seropositivity in pregnant Hispanics affected by hyperemesis gravidarum. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted over a 22-month period. Serum from pregnant Hispanics affected by hyperemesis gravidarum and unaffected Hispanics matched for age, gravidity, parity, and country of origin were tested for H pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG). IgG levels specific for H pylori were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Assuming the background prevalence of H pylori serum positivity in the Hispanic population is approximately 60%, 38 patients in each group were needed to detect a 30% difference in affected patients versus controls with a power of 80% and P = .05. Statistical analysis was performed using Yate's chi-square, Student t test, Mann-Whitney U, and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 82 patients between the ages of 18 to 39 years were enrolled. Of 40 patients diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, 26 (65%) were seropositive for H pylori compared with 28 of 42 (67%) unaffected controls (P = 1.0). There were no statistical differences in maternal age or countries of origin between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of H pylori seropositivity in this patient population is 66%. In pregnant Hispanics affected by hyperemesis gravidarum, H pylori seropositivity is not increased compared with unaffected controls.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori seropositivity in pregnant Hispanics affected by hyperemesis gravidarum. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted over a 22-month period. Serum from pregnant Hispanics affected by hyperemesis gravidarum and unaffected Hispanics matched for age, gravidity, parity, and country of origin were tested for H pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG). IgG levels specific for H pylori were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Assuming the background prevalence of H pylori serum positivity in the Hispanic population is approximately 60%, 38 patients in each group were needed to detect a 30% difference in affected patients versus controls with a power of 80% and P = .05. Statistical analysis was performed using Yate's chi-square, Student t test, Mann-Whitney U, and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 82 patients between the ages of 18 to 39 years were enrolled. Of 40 patients diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, 26 (65%) were seropositive for H pylori compared with 28 of 42 (67%) unaffected controls (P = 1.0). There were no statistical differences in maternal age or countries of origin between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of H pylori seropositivity in this patient population is 66%. In pregnant Hispanics affected by hyperemesis gravidarum, H pylori seropositivity is not increased compared with unaffected controls.