GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE

FREQUENCY OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION

Abstract

Objective: To find the frequency of H pylori infection among the patients of gastroesophgeal reflex disease. Study design: Descriptive study. Setting: Department of Medicine, Unit-I, Services Hospital, Lahore. Subject & method: One hundred patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were included in this study. For detection and confirmation of helicobacter pylori, endoscopy with antral biopsy was done. Specimens were sent for histopathology, and rapid urease test was performed. Main outcome measures: Frequency of H pylori infection, frequency of regurgitation, dysphagia, nausea, vomiting and haemetemesis. Results: 100 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were taken. There were 65 males and 35 females respectively. Their age ranged from 18 to 48 years. 39 (39%) patients were between 29-38 years while 23 (23%) were of 39-48 years. There were 38 (38%) patients between 18-28 years. The mean age of the patients was 31.79±7.56. 40 (40%) were found to be H. pylori positive on biopsy and rapid urease test, while 60 (60%) were H. pylori negative. The most common recorded symptom was chest pain/retrosternal burning (90%). Regurgitation (65%) and nausea (55%) were other common symptoms. Dysphagia and water-brash were present in 40% each. Vomiting (30%), abdominal pain (25%) and cough (20%) were the other symptoms. The least common symptom was haemetemesis (5%). Conclusions: A causal relationship between GERD and H. pylori infection could not be established. Therefore, routine H. pylori eradication in the treatment of patients with GERD is not recommended.