Ethnicity is a strong predictor for H elicobacter pylori infection in young women in a multi‐ethnic E uropean city

Background and Aim At the same time that H elicobacter pylori prevalence is declining in W estern countries, immigrants from developing countries with high H . pylori prevalence have settled in W estern urban areas. Actual epidemiological data on H . pylori in a migrant community may help in realizing a more selective approach to assess H . pylori ‐related diseases. We aimed to define H . pylori prevalence as well as risk groups for H . pylori in a cohort of young women living in a multi‐ethnic E uropean city. Methods We measured Immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti‐ H . pylori and CagA ‐antibodies in serum of pregnant women included in a population‐based prospective cohort study, the Generation R study. Information on demographics and socioeconomic status was collected by questionnaires. Chi‐square and logistic regression were used. Results In total, 3146 (46%) of the 6837 tested women (mean age 29.7 ± 5.3) were H . pylori‐ positive and 1110 (35%) of them were CagA ‐positive. The H . pylori prevalence in D utch women was 24%, which was significantly lower than in non‐ D utch women (64%; P  < 0.001). In particular, H . pylori positivity was found in 92% of Moroccan (odds ratio 19.2; 95% confidence interval 11.8–32.0), 80% of C ape V erdean (7.6; 5.0–11.5), 81% of T urkish (9.0; 6.7–12.1), 60% of D utch A ntillean (3.3; 2.3–4.7), and 58% of S urinamese women (3.0; 2.3–3.8). Among H . pylori‐ positive D utch subjects, 19% were CagA ‐positive compared with 40% of the non‐ D utch subjects ( P  < 0.001). Conclusions Despite a general trend of declining prevalence in W estern countries, H . pylori remains highly prevalent in migrant communities, which may constitute target groups for screening and eradication to prevent H . pylori ‐related diseases.