FREQUENCY OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION AS DETECTED BY STOOL ANTIGEN TEST IN PATIENTS WITH FUNCTIONAL DYSPEPSIA

Abstract

Objectives: To determine H. Pylori frequency in patients presenting with functional dyspepsia using H. Pylori antigen test in the stool sample. Materials & Methods: One hundred and sixty-five adult patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of functional dyspepsia to the medical outpatients’ Department of Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar, were tested for Helicobacter Pylori by detect-ing stool Helicobacter Pylori antigen. Patients with chronic debilitating illnesses or peptic ulcer disease were excluded from the study. The frequency of the positive test was calculated. The independent-sample t-test and Chi-square test were used to compare the results for different variables. A P-value of 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 165 patients, 54% were males and 46% were females. The mean age of the patients was 32±7 years, ranging from 18 to 52 years. The stool antigen test for H. Pylori was positive in 58% of patients. Proton pump inhibitor drugs significantly affect the positive results. Alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly different between the stool antigen-posi-tive and stool antigen-negative patients. Conclusion: Helicobacter Pylori infection is quite common in patients with functional dyspepsia. These patients with positive antigen tests should be treated with H. Pylori eradication therapy.