QUANTITATIVE NONINVASIVE TESTING FOR HELICOBACTER-PYLORI DOES NOT PREDICT GASTRODUODENAL ULCER DISEASE

Background: Helicobacter pylori is strongly associated with gastric an d duodenal ulcer disease. However, the diagnosis of gastroduodenal ulc ers requires an endoscopic or radiographic examination. In this study, we attempted to establish a relationship between the magnitude of [C- 13]urea breath test results or serum H. pylori IgG levels and endoscop ic findings in H. pylori-infected individuals. Methods: Patients who h ad undergone endoscopy and had a positive [C-13]urea breath test and/o r positive H. pylori IgG serology were identified. Endoscopic diagnose s included duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, nonulcer dyspepsia, and othe rs. Results of 6% or greater on the [C-13]urea breath test was defined as positive for H. pylori infection. H. pylori IgG serology was deter mined by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay with values of greater t han or equal to 1.0 being seropositive. Results: One hundred seventy-f ive patients were seropositive (mean = 3.01 +/- 1.58). One hundred six ty-eight patients had a positive [C-13]urea breath test (mean = 25.43 +/- 16.90). One hundred fifty-five patients were common to both the gr oups. Statistical analysis did not reveal any relationship between qua ntitative [C-13]urea breath test results or H. pylori IgG values and e ndoscopic diagnoses. Conclusion: The magnitude of [C-13]urea breath te st or H. pylori IgG serology cannot be used to predict the presence or absence of gastroduodenal ulcer disease.