Abstract

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) among patients with dyspepsia and to evaluate the correlation between H. pylori infection and socio-demographic factors. Methods: This cross-sectional hospital-based study, which ran from June to August 2012, determined seroprevalence of H. pylori among adult patients in Eastern Sudan. The presence of H. pylori was determined using ELISA. Results: A total of 225 adult Sudanese patients were enrolled in the study. Of these, 148 (65.8%) tested positive for H. pylori. In logistic regression analysis, rural residency (OR=3.933, CI=1.337- 11.26, P=0.01) was the only socio-demographic factor that was associated with H. pylori infection. The most common symptoms among seropositive patients were heartburn (OR=30.442, CI=9.478- 97.776, P≤0.001) and/or epigastria pain (OR=28.225, CI=4.365-182.508, P≤0.001). Conclusions: Clinical suspicion can facilitate the detection of H. pylori among patients with dyspeptic symptoms in a geographic area with high prevalence of H. pylori infection.

Authors and Affiliations