Increased risk of infection with Helicobacter pylori in spouses of infected subjects: Observations in a general population sample from the UK

Background/Aims: To investigate risk factors for infection with Helicobacte r pylori in a general population sample who accepted an invitation to be sc reened. In particular, to determine whether being the spouse of an infected subject is an independent risk factor for infection after adjustment for o ther risks. Methodology: A serological screening test for Helicobacter pylori was offer ed to 4015 randomly selected subjects registered at a single general practi ce in Market Harborough, UK. Those invited were also asked to complete a qu estionnaire if attending for screening; this included information relating to possible risk factors for infection. Results were analyzed in the overal l sample of attenders and a subset of married couples, using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Complete results were obtained for 1431(36%) subjects. Age, childh ood social class and household crowding in childhood were independent risk factors after adjustment for other variables. Positive status of spouse was an independent risk factor in a subset of 389 married couples (P=0.005, Od ds Ratio: 2.65, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.34-5.25). Conclusions: Our study confirmed the correlation between childhood living c onditions and infection with Helicobacter pylori. In the study population, having a Helicobacter pylori-positive spouse was associated with a signific ant increased risk of being infected.