Helicobacter pylori infection in patients consulting gastroenterologists in France:: prevalence is linked to gender and region of residence

Background Because of limited data on the epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori in France, the prevalence of this infection by region and its associated risk factors were studied between 1995 and 1997 among patients consulting a representative sample of gastroenterologists by region, Method A cross-sectional study was performed. Patients consulting gastroenterologists for whatever reason were screened for H. pylori infection determined by specific salivary IgG, A questionnaire was filled out by the gastroenterologist. A multivariate analysis was performed with all relevant variables. Results 3153 patients were included, The mean age was 48.5 years; 51.8% were women. After stratification by patients consulting for upper digestive tract (UDT) and non-UDT symptoms, H. pylori infection was found to be more prevalent, in both groups, for characteristics such as being born in a developing country, overcrowding during childhood, and primary educational level. Interestingly, gender (odds ratio ORUDT for women = 0.7 [95% CI 0.5-0.8] and ORnon-UDT for women = 0.6 [95% CI 0.5-0.81]) and living in a region other than the south-west (ORUDT varying from 1.5 to 2.0 and ORnon-UDT varying from 1.3 to 2.1, depending on the region) was associated with the odds of prevalent infection. Conclusion These findings show (l)that gender deserves more attention in the epidemiology of H. pylori and (2) a regional disparity in France regarding H. pylori infection. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 13:677-684 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.