Helicobacter pylori Seroprevalence and Its Association with Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Self-Perceived Oral Health Among Lithuanian Dental Students.

Background/

Objectives

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection remains common globally, yet data on its prevalence and correlates among dental students in Eastern Europe are limited. Dental students may face potential occupational exposure through contact with saliva and aerosols during their clinical training. This study aimed to measure the seroprevalence of H. pylori among Lithuanian dental students and evaluate its associations with academic year, self-perceived oral health and hygiene factors, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Methods

An observational-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 among 202 dental students from lower (I-II) and higher (IV-V) academic years at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. Participants underwent serological testing for H. pylori IgG antibodies using capillary blood and completed a structured questionnaire on sociodemographic factors, oral health behaviors, clinical exposure, and gastrointestinal symptoms assessed by the Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale (GSRS). Descriptive and bivariate statistical analyses were performed to assess associations.

Results

Overall H. pylori seroprevalence was 12.4% and did not differ significantly in different academic years. Seropositivity was significantly associated with longer toothbrushing duration and a family history of stomach ulcer. No significant associations were found with the number of patients treated, the use of personal protective equipment, or most oral hygiene indicators. Higher-year students reported greater overall gastrointestinal symptom scores than lower-year students; however, GSRS scores did not differ between H. pylori-seropositive and -seronegative participants.

Conclusions

H. pylori seroprevalence in this student population was relatively low, and no association was found with clinical exposure or gastrointestinal symptom severity. Household-related factors may be more relevant to transmission than occupational exposure in dental training. Further longitudinal studies are needed to clarify risk factors and transmission pathways.