Epidemiological, Clinical and Endoscopic Profile of Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Two Digestive Endoscopy Centers in Brazzaville

Abstract

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is a public health problem. The contamination is mainly in childhood, oro-oral or fecal-oral. The objective is to determine the epidemiological, clinical and endoscopic profile of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in symptomatic patients in Brazzaville in order to improve the management of Hp-infected persons in Congo. Patients and Method: This was a cross-sectional and analytical study, conducted from January to May 2018, in two digestive endoscopy centers in Brazzaville. Included were symptomatic patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (HRE). The frequency of Helicobacter pylori infection was determined from two tests, the rapid urease test and the Hp antigen test in the stool. The risk factors for contamination, digestive symptoms and gastroduodenal diseases associated with Helicobacter pylori infection were studied. Results: During the study, 137 consenting patients were included, including 62 men and 75 women; the sex ratio was 0.8. The average age was 46 years, the extreme 18 and 88 years. Epigastralgia was the most common reason for consultation. Upper digestive endoscopy was normal in most cases (43%), erosive and erythematous gastropathies were the most common lesions. There were 109 positive patients and 28 negative patients with a frequency of 79.6%. All age groups were affected. The infection predominated in young patients and in women in 81% of cases. It was associated with type of sanitation, gastrointestinal bleeding and peptic ulcer disease.