Bcy. Wong et al., An evaluation of whole blood testing for Helicobacter pylori infection in the Chinese population, ALIM PHARM, 14(3), 2000, pp. 331-335
Background: Near patient tests for Helicobacter pylori were developed to as
sist in the management of dyspepsia patients in general practice. Most stud
ies were performed in western populations.
Aim: To evaluate the rapid whole blood test (Flexpack HP) for H. pylori in
the Chinese population.
Methods: Consecutive dyspeptic patients referred for upper endoscopy were r
ecruited. During upper endoscopy, biopsies were taken from the antrum and c
orpus for rapid urease test (CLO test) and histological examination. After
endoscopy, the whole blood test (FlexPack HP) was performed according to th
e manufacturer's instruction. Patients then received a C-13-urea breath tes
t. Results of the whole blood test were compared with the gold standard (CL
O test, histology and C-13-urea breath test).
Results: A total of 294 consecutive patients gave a valid Flexpack HP resul
t for interpretation. The mean age of patients was 47.7 (range 15-85) years
. Analysis showed a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, ne
gative predictive value and accuracy of 58%, 92%, 91%, 63% and 73% respecti
vely.
Conclusion: The FlexPack HP whole blood test showed good specificity but la
cked sensitivity. It is not sensitive enough to be used in a general practi
ce setting for the test-and-treat approach in the Chinese population.