Abstract:
Helicobacter pylori has been found to be associated with chronic active gastritis and gastroduodenal ulcers. Proper diagnosis and treatment can eradicate this organism from the gastric mucosa and reduce the relapse rate of gastroduodenal ulcers. In order to determine the prevalence rate of Helicobacter pylon infection in Karachi, Pakistan, 435 patients referred to the Gastroendoscopy Unit of the Civil Hospital, Karachi were tested for H. Pylori infection by culture, Helicourease rapid urease detection test (IIDRL,Pakistan) and histology. The overall incidence rate of H. pylori infection was found to be 54. 94% (239/435),62. 07% (270/435) and 60% (261/435) by culture, Helicourease and histological methods respectively. H. pylori infection was found to be more prevalent in ages 31-50 years. It was also found to be more common in cigarette smokers as well as paan (betal leaf) and niswar (a kind of tobacco) consuming patients. H. pylori was found to be associated with gastritis 70% (35/50), duodenal ulcer 64. 38% (94/146),gastric erosion 53. 19% (50/94) and gastric cancer 50% (4/8) patients respectively. In the control group, only 33. 61% (41/122) of the endoscopically normal patients with the signs and symptoms of the disease tested positive for H. pylori. The most frequent symptoms among H. pylori infected patients were abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea, heartburn and vomiting. Most of the patients who tested positive for H. pylori came from lower socioeconomic areas with poor hygienic standards, and consumed unboiled water which could be a possible source of the bacterium.
Page(s):
39-42
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Journal of College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP, Volume: 6, Issue: 1, Year: 1996