HELICOBACTER-PYLORI IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING UPPER ENDOSCOPY IN JAMAICA

One hundred and two consecutive patients undergoing upper gastrointest inal endoscopy were tested for H. pylori by a rapid urease test, using antral biopsy specimens. There were 60 men (mean age 54 yrs) and 42 w omen (mean age 49 yrs). Fifty-six patients (55%) were positive for H. pylori. Of male patients, 36 (60%) and of female patients, 20 (48%) te sted positive. Sixty-eight per cent of patients with antral gastritis, 65% with duodenal ulcer and 60% with gastric ulcer had H. pylori. Thi rty-nine patients (70%) positive for H. pylori were from major urban a reas, and 17 (30%) were from rural areas of Jamaica. In patients witho ut H. pylori, 61% and 39% were from urban and rural areas, respectivel y. Forty-four patients (79%) with H. pylori and 40 (87%) without H. py lori had piped water in their homes. Ninety-three per cent of all pati ents had electricity and 88% had refrigeration. There was no differenc e between patients positive or negative for H. pylori with regard to t he use of alcohol, marijuana or tobacco. There was also no difference between both groups in exposure to domestic animals in the home enviro nment. H. pylori is associated with antral gastritis and peptic ulcer disease in Jamaican patients. There are no specific environmental or s ocial factors that seem to predispose to infection.