Helicobacter pylori antigen prevalence in dyspeptic patients in Kırşehir region

Helicobacter pylori is a microorganism found as related to gastritis, peptic ulcus and gastric cancer. In developed countries H. pylori antigen prevalence was low, but relatively high rates were reported in developing countries. In this study, H. pylori antigen was investigated in the stool samples of the outpatients with dyspeptic complaints.Materials and Methods: H. pylori antigen prevalence in stool samples of 592 outpatients with dyspeptic complaints were evaluated by Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test in the study period November 2009 - June 2010.Results: The stool samples of 149 patients [41 (27.5%) male and 108 (72.5%) female] were found to be positive for H. pylori stool antigen test and overall prevalence was 25.2%. The highest prevalence for antigen test was detected in patient group over 70 years. No significant relationship was found between antigen positivity and gender.Conclusion: H. pylori antigen prevalence in our study group was lower than the studies published before in our country. Antigen positivity ratio was detected to be increased with age