The prevalence of dyspepsia and use of antisecretory medication in North Glasgow: role of Helicobacter pylori vs. lifestyle factors

Aims: To determine the prevalence of dyspepsia and associated antisecretory medication usage, and their associations with H. pylori infection in the g eneral population, in addition, to compare the importance of H. pylori infe ction relative to other potential causes of dyspepsia: alcohol, smoking and obesity. Methods: The study examined a random population sample of 784 men and 827 w omen from Glasgow. They completed a validated dyspepsia questionnaire and h ad their H. pylori status determined by serology. Results: The overall prevalence of dyspepsia was 12%; prescribed antisecret ory medication had been used over the last 6 months by 7%. The odds ratio ( 95% CT) for dyspepsia, comparing H. pylori-positives to negatives was 1.79 (1.03, 3.09) for men and 1.11 (0.70, 1.78) for women. Ever-smoking (both se xes) and obesity (women) had higher odds ratios for dyspepsia than did H. p ylori. Adjustment for age, social class, ever-smoking, ever-drinking and ob esity reduced the H. pylori odds ratios for dyspepsia to 1.38 (0.73, 2.60) for men and 0.99 (0.57, 1.73) for women. The association between H. pylori and antisecretory medication usage was similar to that for dyspepsia. Conclusion: Obesity and smoking are more important risk factors, for dyspep sia and antisecretory medication usage, than is H. pylori. Reducing the bur den and cost of dyspepsia will require lifestyle modification and not merel y H. pylori eradication.