Helicobacter pylori Infection in Patients with Functional Dyspepsia in Jamaica

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common clinical problem associated with substantial health care cost. H. pylori infection may be an etiological factor in some patients. This study determined the prevalence of H. pylori infection in Jamaican patients with FD. Thirty patients with FD seen between 2005–2007 were studied. All patients had dyspepsia and normal endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 33%. The mean age was 47 years. 70% were female and resided mainly in urban areas. The most frequent presenting symptom was epigastric pain. All patients had access to piped water and refrigeration. Forty percent of infected patients had a history of alcohol consumption compared to 15% in non-infected patients. In H. pylori positive patients, 20% were cigarette smokers, compared to 5% in negative patients.