Endoscopic diagnoses and CLO test results in 9239 cases, prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Istanbul, Turkey

Background: Helicobacter pylori is implicated in the etiology of gastric and duodenal ulcer, non-ulcer dispepsia, atrophic gastritis, gastric adenocarcinoma and lymphoma. Methods: Between November 1995 and December 2004, the presence of H. pylori was investigated using the CLO test in 9239 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at a single institution in Istanbul, Turkey. The results were evaluated as early–late positive, and negative. Results: There were 4667 women (50.51%) with a mean age of 44.5 years (range, 13–90 years), and 4572 men (49.49%) with a mean age of 45.7 years (range, 11–85 years). The CLO test was positive in 41.44% of cases. The most frequent symptoms on admission were epigastric pain (46.2%) and burning (19.6%). The most frequent endoscopic diagnosis was pangastritis (64%) and non-erosive duodenitis (30.5%). The H. pylori positivity was 61.53% during the first 5-year period and 38.47% during the second 5-year period. The H. pylori positivity was significant in patients using non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs and tobacco (P