The association between Helicobacter pylori infection and lymphoid reaction in patients suffering from dyspepsia in Bahrain.

Lymphoid reaction to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori ) infection varies from simple aggregates to primary gastric lymphoma. This study analyzes various lymphoid reaction to H. pylori infection among 102 patients with dyspepsia in Bahrain during 1994-1995. Cases underwent gastroscopy for gastrointestinal complaints and at least four biopsies were taken from each patient. The prevalence of H. pylori among the study group was 79.4%. Males constituted 63.7%. Lymphoid reaction in the form of lymphoid follicles and lymphoid aggregates were found in 31.4% and 24.5% respectively. The Odds Ratio (OR) of developing lymphoid reaction among H. pylori infected cases, compared to non- H. pylori subjects was 20.1:1, and the relative risk (RR) was 7.13. The OR of developing lymphoid follicles among H. pylori cases compared to non-H. pylori subjects was 11:1 and the RR was 5.63.