PREVALENCE OF AND RISK-FACTORS FOR HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION IN THE WESTERN PART OF GERMANY

Objective: To ascertain the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infectio n in Germany and to identify risk factors associated with H. pylori se roconversion. Methods: Two hundred and sixty blood donors (169 men, 91 women; median age 29 years, range 18-61 years, 92% with German parent s, all white) were studied. None had previously been treated for H. py lori infection. Their serum samples were analysed for H. pylon immunog lobulin (Ig) G antibodies with a validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All subjects completed a-complex questionnaire under s upervision. Special attention was paid to their present and childhood (at the age of 8 years) living conditions. To identify independent ris k factors for seropositivity, a multivariate, stepwise forward, uncond itional, logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: In total , 102 participants (39.2%) were seropositive for H. pylori. Seropreval ence increased significantly with age (21.1% aged 21 or younger compar ed with 60.0% over 51 years of age). According to the multivariate ana lysis of the unclassified data [odds ratio (95% confidence interval)], variables such as age [1.04 (1.01-1.07) per year], persons per room i n household in childhood [2.14 (1.07-4.26)] and number of children (<8 years) in household at present [1.79 (1.01-3.16) per child] were sign ificantly and independently associated with H. pylori seroprevalence. Conclusion: Crowded living conditions in childhood affect current H. p ylori status. In addition, the number of children in the present house hold increases the risk of infection for the adult family members. Thi s suggests that children are an additional source of infection, probab ly due to close and frequent physical contact outside the immediate fa mily.