Published online Jan 14, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i2.629
Peer-review started: March 23, 2014
First decision: April 2, 2014
Revised: May 12, 2014
Accepted: July 22, 2014
Article in press: July 22, 2014
Published online: January 14, 2015
AIM: To survey the detailed analyses for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and gastric mucosal status in Myanmar.
METHODS: A total of 252 volunteers with dyspeptic symptoms (155 female and 97 male; mean age of 43.6 ± 14.2 years) was participated in Yangon and Mandalay. The status of H. pylori infection was determined based on 5 different tests including rapid urease test, culture, histology, immunohistochemistry and serology. Histological scores were evaluated according to the update Sydney system and the Operative Link for Gastritis Assessment system. Pepsinogen (PG) I and PG II were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
RESULTS: The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 48.0%. There was no relationship between age and infection rate. Even in young group (less than 29 years old), the H. pylori infection rate was relatively high (41.9%). The prevalence of H. pylori infection was significantly higher in Yangon than that of Mandalay. H. pylori infection was significantly associated with the presence of gastric mucosal atrophy. All 7 subjects with peptic ulcer were infected with H. pylori. Although H. pylori-positive subjects showed stronger gastritis than H. pylori-negative subjects, most cases had mild gastritis.
CONCLUSION: We revealed the prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with dyspeptic symptoms in Myanmar. The H. pylori infection was a risk factor for peptic ulcer and stronger gastritis.
Core tip: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in Myanmar has not been elucidated. Our study revealed that the overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 48.0% in patients with dyspeptic symptoms. Even among young group (less than 29 years old), the H. pylori infection rate was relatively high (41.9%). Nevertheless, most cases showed mild gastritis, which suggests that the moderate of the incidence of gastric cancer might be attributed to the mild atrophy. All 7 subjects with peptic ulcer were infected with H. pylori.