Prevalence and etiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in dyspepsia patients: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is seropositive in ~50% of people globally. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate its prevalence in dyspepsia patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) from January to June 2022 to find out the prevalence and risk factors of H. pylori in dyspepsia patients. A prevalidated questionnaire was used to collect the data from 180 patients. This study adheres to the principles outlined in the Helsinki Declaration. The χ²-test was applied, and the odds ratio and 95% CI were calculated to find the association of H. pylori with the risk factors. Results: A total of 180 patients were enrolled in this study, of whom, 73 (40.6%) patients were male and 107 (59.4%) were female. In seropositive H. pylori patients, 80 (60.6%) patients had nausea or vomiting, 110 (83.3%) patients were found to have flatulence, 128 (97.7%) patients were experiencing frequent burping, and 114 (86.4%) patients were having epigastric pain. The household member greater than 4, smoking, rural area residence, NSAIDs consumption, BMI greater than 25, O + blood group, and Rhesus positive status were significantly associated with H. pylori with a P value of less than 0.05. Conclusion: This study concludes that the prevalence of H. pylori in our population is high, and the risk factors identified are lower class, BMI greater than 25, smoking, O + blood group, NSAID consumption, rural area residence, household member greater than 4, Rhesus positive status, and the symptoms of nausea or vomiting, frequent burping, epigastric pain, and flatulence. Patients with an increased number of risk factors should be taken into consideration for an appropriate checkup.