[Memoir of Seroepidemiological Study of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Asymptomatic People in South Korea Started in 1997].

Abstract

To establish health policies for the prevention of Helicobacter pylori-related diseases, it is crucial to observe prevalence trends and identify risk factors for H. pylori infection. In 1997, the Korean H. pylori Study Group (currently the Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research) designed a nationwide multicenter study to assess H. pylori seroprevalence and identify risk factors in the asymptomatic Korean population. Sera were collected from 2687 females and 3049 males (mean age: 29.1 years; range: 1 month to 79 years) across Korea from March 1998 to October 1998. All asymptomatic participants completed an assessment questionnaire. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (GENEDIA® H. pylori ELISA) was performed to detect immunoglobulin G antibodies to H. pylori. The seroprevalence rates were 17.2% in children (neonates to 15 years) and 66.9% in adults (16-79 years). A multivariate analysis indicated that variables such as sex, age, geographic area, crowding (number of persons per room) during childhood, economic status during childhood, and types of housing during childhood were significantly and independently associated with H. pylori seroprevalence in adults. For children, significant risk factors included age, geographic area, family income, maternal education, and drinking water sources. Socioeconomic conditions and close person-to-person contact during childhood were significant determinants of H. pylori infection in adults. Additionally, the source of drinking water emerged as a crucial risk factor for H. pylori infection in children, indicating fecal-oral transmission in Korea. This well-organized national study by the Korean H. pylori Study Group is an important milestone in the 30-year history of the Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research and should be remembered by the society's members.