Significant decrease in prevalence ofHelicobacter pylori in the Czech Republic

AIM:To study possible decrease in prevalence of Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori) infection in the Czech Republic within a 10-year period.METHODS:A total of 22 centres entered the study.The catchment areas of these centres covered cities and towns with more than 20 000 inhabitants,smaller towns(≤ 20 000 inhabitants) with surrounding villages and rural areas,and were spread over the whole country,corresponding well to the geographical distribution of the Czech population.A total of 1 837 subjects(aged 5-98 years) took part in the study,randomly selected out of 38 147 people from the general population.H.pylori infection was investigated by means of a 13 C-urea breath test.Breath samples in duplicates were analysed using isotope ratio mass spectrometry.The cut-off point was 3.5.Social and demographic characteristics were based on data from self-completed questionnaires.RESULTS:The overall prevalence of H.pylori infection was 23.5%(430/1826),and 4.8%(20/420) in children aged 15 or less.There was no statistically significant difference in prevalence between males(24.3%;208/857) and females(22.9%,222/969,P = 0.494).H.pylori infection was strongly associated with higher age,among subjects aged 55+ years,prevalence of H.pylori infection was 39.8%(252/633,P < 0.001).The highest prevalence of H.pylori infection was found among persons aged 55-64 years(43.9%,97/221) and 75+ years(37.9%,58/153).Among study subjects aged 15+ years,prevalence of H.pylori infection was significantly increased in those with lowest education(odds risk 3.19,95% CI 1.87-5.47).Compared to never married(14.1%),the prevalence of H.pylori infection was statistically significantly higher among married(35.4%,246/694,P < 0.001),divorced(36.8%,49/133,P < 0.001) and widowed study subjects(40.2%,45/112,P < 0.001),both in minimally and fully adjusted analysis.There was no significant difference in the prevalence of H.pylori infection between married and widowed subjects(35.4%,246/694 vs 40.2%,45/112,P = 0.389).There was little variation in smoking prevalence across categories of smoking and there was no evidence of an increased risk ofH.pylori infection among current or past smokers in our data(odds risk 1.04 with 95% CI 0.78-1.40 for current smokers;odds ratio 0.83 with 95% CI 0.60-1.16 for former smokers).The current prevalence of H.pylori in 2011 was significantly lower compared to the prevalence reported from identical geographical areas in 2001(23.5%vs 41.7%,P < 0.001).CONCLUSION:The overall prevalence of H.pylori infection in the general population has fallen substantially in the Czech Republic over the past 10 years.

Blood pressure and stature in Helicobacter pylori positive and negative persons

To evaluate vital signs and body indices in Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)positive and negative persons.A total of 22 centres entered the study.They were spread over the whole country,corresponding well to the geographical distribution of the Czech population.A total of 1818 subjects(aged 5-98 years)took part in the study,randomly selected out of 38147 subjects.H.pylori infection was investigated by means of a 13Curea breath test.Data on height,weight,systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were collected at the clinics of general practitioners.The overall prevalence of H.pylori infection was 30.4%(402/1321)in adults(≥18 year-old)and 5.2%(26/497)in children and adolescents(≤17 year-old).Once adjusted for age and gender,only a difference in body mass index remained statistically significant with H.pylori positive adults showing an increase of 0.6 kg/m2 in body mass index.Once adjusted for age and gender,we found a difference in height between H.pylori positive and H.pylori negative children and adolescents.On further adjustment for place of residence,this difference became statistically significant,with H.pylori positive children and adolescents being on average 3.5 cm shorter.H.pylori positive adults were significantly older compared to H.pylori negative subjects.Once adjusted for age and gender,H.pylori infection had no impact on body weight,body mass index and vital signs either in adults or children and adolescents.Chronic H.pylori infection appeared to be associated with short stature in children.H.pylori infection did not influence blood pressure,body weight and body mass index either in adults or children and adolescents.