Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with functional dyspepsia.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with functional dyspepsia.

DESIGN

Prospective descriptive study.

SETTING

Surgical unit, Base Hospital, Panadura.

PATIENTS: 67 patients with persistent symptoms suggestive of functional dyspepsia but no clinical, endoscopic or ultrasonographic evidence of peptic, biliary, pancreatic or malignant disease.

METHODS

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and two antral mucosal biopsies were performed in all patients and the rapid urease test (CLO test) was done to detect H pylori status. All patients gave informed consent.

RESULTS

Of the 67 patients (32 males) with a mean age of 45 years (35 to 70 years), only 2 patients (2.9%) were found to be positive for H pylori infection.

CONCLUSION

Incidence of H pylori infection was found to be very low in patients with functional dyspepsia.