RACIAL-DIFFERENCES IN HELICOBACTER-PYLORI SEROPREVALENCE IN SINGAPORE- CORRELATION WITH DIFFERENCES IN PEPTIC-ULCER FREQUENCY

The aim of this study was to determine, first, whether racial differen ces exist in the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Si ngapore, and second, whether these differences correlate with racial d ifferences in peptic ulcer frequency. A commercial serological test fo r immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibody to H. pylori which was 90% sensitive a nd 83% specific in our population was used to screen 403 adult blood d onors of Chinese, Malay and Indian origin, aged between 15-60 years. S erum specimens from 84 paediatric patients admitted to the Paediatrics Department, National University of Singapore, with non-gastroenterolo gical illnesses were also tested. In all three races, seroprevalence o f H. pylori increased with age. Indians have the highest prevalence of infection followed by Chinese and Malays. Peptic ulcer prevalences ar e known to be highest in Chinese, followed by Indians and Malays. The Malays have the lowest prevalence of H. pylori and peptic ulcer among the three races in Singapore. Indians have a higher prevalence of H. p ylori antibodies but a lower frequency of peptic ulcer than the Chines e. Racial differences in peptic ulcer frequency between Chinese and In dians are not explained by the prevalence of H. pylori infection; othe r environmental or genetic factors may be involved.