Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori in Symptomatic Adult Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross Sectional Study

Helicobacter pylori are well recognized as major cause of gastro-intestinal diseases. The present cross-sectional study was done in the department of Medicine at G.S.V.M Medical College. A total of 194 adult patients attending outpatient department for various gastrointestinal symptoms were screened to find out the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori using Stool antigen card test. Out of these 194 patients, 98 were found positive for Helicobacter pylori by the test, giving a prevalence of 50.51%. A detailed proforma was filled, regarding the age and sex of the patient, education and occupation of the head of the family, sanitary practices, dietary habits and tobacco chewing. The patients were also examined for pallor. Among a total of 126 males, 69 were found positive for Helicobacter pylori (54.8%) and among 68 females, 29 were found positive (42.6%). Age wise distribution showed maximum prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in the age group of 40–49 years (59.6%) and minimum in the age group of more than 70 years. A higher prevalence of Helicobacter pylori was found among non-vegetarians (61.1%) and among patients having pallor (62.3%) and both were significant. The study of socio-economic status showed a prevalence of 55.4% in upper lower, 46.2% in lower middle and 40% in upper middle socio-economic groups. A prevalence of 51.7% was seen among subjects chewing tobacco and 64.7% in smokers.