BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is implicated in the etiology of gastric and duodenal ulcer, non-ulcer dispepsia, atrophic gastritis, gastric adenocarcinoma and lymphoma. METHODS: Between November 1995 and December 2004, the presence of H. pylori was investigated using the CLO test in 9239 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at a single institution in Istanbul, Turkey. The results were evaluated as early-late positive, and negative. RESULTS: There were 4667 women (50.51%) with a mean age of 44.5 years (range, 13-90 years), and 4572 men (49.49%) with a mean age of 45.7 years (range, 11-85 years). The CLO test was positive in 41.44% of cases. The most frequent symptoms on admission were epigastric pain (46.2%) and burning (19.6%). The most frequent endoscopic diagnosis was pangastritis (64%) and non-erosive duodenitis (30.5%). The H. pylori positivity was 61.53% during the first 5-year period and 38.47% during the second 5-year period. The H. pylori positivity was significant in patients using non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs and tobacco (P < 0.001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Helicbacter pylori prevelance remains an important health problem for Turkey although it has diminished in parallel to the national development during the last years. Helicbacter pylori, as a first-degree carcinogen, should be investigated and eradicated particularly in high-risk patients.
BACKGROUND:Helicobacter pylori is implicated in the etiology of gastric and duodenal ulcer, non-ulcer dispepsia, atrophic gastritis, gastric adenocarcinoma and lymphoma. METHODS: Between November 1995 and December 2004, the presence of H. pylori was investigated using the CLO test in 9239 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at a single institution in Istanbul, Turkey. The results were evaluated as early-late positive, and negative. RESULTS: There were 4667 women (50.51%) with a mean age of 44.5 years (range, 13-90 years), and 4572 men (49.49%) with a mean age of 45.7 years (range, 11-85 years). The CLO test was positive in 41.44% of cases. The most frequent symptoms on admission were epigastric pain (46.2%) and burning (19.6%). The most frequent endoscopic diagnosis was pangastritis (64%) and non-erosive duodenitis (30.5%). The H. pylori positivity was 61.53% during the first 5-year period and 38.47% during the second 5-year period. The H. pylori positivity was significant in patients using non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs and tobacco (P < 0.001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Helicbacter pylori prevelance remains an important health problem for Turkey although it has diminished in parallel to the national development during the last years. Helicbacter pylori, as a first-degree carcinogen, should be investigated and eradicated particularly in high-risk patients.