Helicobacter pylori seropositivity in England, 2001-2007: time trends and the effect of ethnicity

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori (HP) prevalence is decreasing in developed countries. Widespread adoption of the 'test and treat' strategy for dyspepsia (2002) may have contributed to this decline. Methods: Time trends in the proportion of positive HP serology results in our institution, covering an ethnically diverse area in London, were analysed between 2001 and 2007. The effect of age, gender and ethnicity was assessed. Results: 12307 tests were carried out between 2001 and 2007 in 11484 consecutive patients. There was a statistically significant reduction in the proportion of positive tests over the study period from 42.8% to 37.6% (p<0.001). HP seroprevalence was higher in older individuals (p<0.001), in men (p=0.001) and in patients of Indian subcontinent descent (p<0.001). There was a fall in the proportion of positive tests to HP over time for both genders and ethnic groups and among patients over age 30. The proportion of positive tests to HP remained unchanged for younger individuals. Conclusion: The proportion of positive HP serology in our institution decreased over a seven-year period. HP infection was more prevalent in older patients. A significant proportion of younger subjects had positive HP serology but the seroprevalence of HP infection amongst subjects aged under 30 remained unchanged.