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Helicobacter pylori Seroprevalence in Symptomatic Veterans: A Study of 7310 Patients Over 11 Years
Author(s) -
Carmack Susanne W.,
Genta Robert M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
helicobacter
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.206
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1523-5378
pISSN - 1083-4389
DOI - 10.1111/j.1523-5378.2009.00693.x
Subject(s) - helicobacter pylori , seroprevalence , medicine , helicobacter infections , gastroenterology , immunology , antibody , serology
Background and Aims: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection has been decreasing in the USA, but recent data are lacking. This study evaluates the seroprevalence for anti‐ H. pylori antibodies in symptomatic veterans tested over the past 11 years. Materials and Methods: The same serum anti‐ H. pylori IgG detection system has been used at a tertiary care Veterans Affairs hospital since late 1996. Results of all tests performed from 1997 to 2007 were analyzed. Results: Of 7310 unique patients tested, 3982 (54.5%) were positive. Seropositivity declined from 70.8% in 1997 to 48.6% in 2002, then reached a plateau around 50%. A strong birth cohort effect was present, from a seropositivity of 72.7% for the veterans born before 1920 to 22% for those born between after 1980. Conclusions: Despite a constant birth cohort effect, H. pylori seropositivity among symptomatic veterans leveled down at ~50% after declining steadily from 1997 to 2002.