Helicobacter pylori infection in patients consulting gastroenterologists in France: prevalence is linked to gender and region of residence

Background Because of limited data on the epidemiology of Helicobacter pylo ri in France, the prevalence of this infection by region and its associated risk factors were studied between 1995 and 1997 among patients consulting a representative sample of gastroenterologists by region, Method A cross-sectional study was performed. Patients consulting gastroent erologists for whatever reason were screened for H. pylori infection determ ined by specific salivary IgG, A questionnaire was filled out by the gastro enterologist. A multivariate analysis was performed with all relevant varia bles. Results 3153 patients were included, The mean age was 48.5 years; 51.8% wer e women. After stratification by patients consulting for upper digestive tr act (UDT) and non-UDT symptoms, H. pylori infection was found to be more pr evalent, in both groups, for characteristics such as being born in a develo ping country, overcrowding during childhood, and primary educational level. Interestingly, gender (odds ratio ORUDT for women = 0.7 [95% CI 0.5-0.8] a nd ORnon-UDT for women = 0.6 [95% CI 0.5-0.81]) and living in a region othe r than the south-west (ORUDT varying from 1.5 to 2.0 and ORnon-UDT varying from 1.3 to 2.1, depending on the region) was associated with the odds of p revalent infection. Conclusion These findings show (l)that gender deserves more attention in th e epidemiology of H. pylori and (2) a regional disparity in France regardin g H. pylori infection. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 13:677-684 (C) 2001 Lipp incott Williams & Wilkins.