Detection of helicobacter pylori by urea breathe test in a Nigerian population with upper gastrointestinal symptoms

Sarah Abere 1, *, Boma Oyan 1 and Okeke Uchenna 2

1 Department of Internal medicine, faculty of clinical sciences, Rivers State university/Rivers State university teaching hospital Nigeria.
2 Department of Internal medicine, faculty of clinical sciences, University of Port Harcourt/University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
 
Research Article
GSC Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 19(02), 151–155.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gscarr.2024.19.2.0172
 
Publication history: 
Received on 26 March 2024; revised on 08 May 2024; accepted on 10 May 2024
 
Abstract: 
Background: Helicobacter Pylori, a class one carcinogen is common globally with about 50% of the world’s population affected. It causes severe symptoms and complications including peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer in infected persons. This study therefore aimed to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori as well as the clinical profile of patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms seen at the Rivers State University Teaching hospital.
Methodology: One hundred consecutive patients with upper GI symptoms undergoing Urea Breath test who fulfilled the inclusion criteria constituted the study population. The data was analyzed using IBM-SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0.   Results were presented as means ± standard deviation and percentages/number for quantitative and qualitative variables respectively, while Categorical variables were compared with Pearson’s Chi-square.
Result: Of the one hundred patients studied, 35 (35%) were males and 65 (65%) were females with a mean age of 49.56 ±14. 68. The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori was 33% affecting more females than males. The most common symptoms in the patients at presentation were heartburn (51%), epigastric pain (47%) and dyspepsia (35%). There was an insignificant positive correlation between the detection of Helicobacter pylori and a prior exposure to proton pump inhibitors.
Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori among patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms. This buttresses the need for testing and treatment among Nigerians who present with such symptoms.
 
Keywords: 
Helicobacter pylori; Urea Breath Test; Gastrointestinal symptoms; Dyspepsia
 
Full text article in PDF: 
Share this