Jp. Fawcett et al., SEROPREVALENCE OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI IN A BIRTH COHORT OF 21-YEAR-OLD NEW-ZEALANDERS, European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology, 8(4), 1996, pp. 365-369
Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H.
pylori) in a subset of a birth cohort of New Zealanders at age 21 and
examine the association with risk factors and digestion-related sympto
ms. Design: Assay of serum collected from members of a longitudinal st
udy during 1993-94 and a survey of risk factors and digestion-related
symptoms by interview and questionnaire. Methods: Serum from 785 sampl
e members (413 males, 372 females) of the 950 participating in the Dun
edin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (DMHDS) at age 21
was analysed for H. pylori antibodies. Serum samples (n=579) from the
cohort at age 11 collected in 1983 were analysed for those who were se
ropositive at age 21. Results :The seroprevalence of H. pylori at age
21 was 4.1% (32/785), with proportionally more males in the seropositi
ve group (chi(2)=6.7, P<0.01). Serum samples taken at age 11 were avai
lable for 19 of the seropositive group and 74% of these (11 males, thr
ee females) were seropositive. The seropositive group at age 21 was no
different in the size of their families, but at age 5 contained propo
rtionally more individuals from families of low socioeconomic status (
SES) (chi(2)=6.1, P<0.05). There was no difference between the two gro
ups in terms of upper gastrointestinal tract symptoms, recent use oi m
edications, smoking or alcohol consumption. Conclusion: The seropreval
ence of H. pylori among a birth cohort of 21-year-old New Zealanders i
s significantly lower than among most populations of about the same ag
e in other countries. Seropositivity is higher in males and among fami
lies of lower SES, and is not associated with digestion-related sympto
ms. The seroconversion rate after age 11 appears to be low.