Helicobacter pylori prevalence measured by breath test in patients under ambulatory care

Abstract

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori is a highly prevalent bacteria worldwide, associated with various diseases. Its surveillance continues to be relevant for doctors and public health policies.

Objective: to determine the prevalence of H. pylori in a population of ambulatory patients seen by internal medicine in Envigado.

Design and method: this was an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out between December 2023 and June 2024 at an internal medicine office in Envigado. Intentional, non-probability sampling was employed. Patients of both sexes, over the age of 14, who attended outpatient appointments, were included. Those who could not perform the breath test were excluded. Urea-¹³C was used, and data was collected on Microsoft Excel®, with statistical analysis using SPSS® version 18.

Results: the prevalence of H. pylori was 44.2%. The mean age of those infected was 48.4 years (SD 17.1), with a peak in the 50 – 59-year-old group. Infection was more common in men (47%). In those under the age of 35, the prevalence was 40.7%, and it was more common in young men (21.3 %).

Conclusions: the prevalence found was lower than reported in historic studies, but higher than recent figures. An unusual pattern was found, with a higher frequency of infection in young adults, surpassing what has been described in the literature.