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Lookup NU author(s): Emeritus Professor Amritpal Hungin
Objectives To ascertain the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and its association with the disease. Design Systematic review of studies reporting the prevalence of H pylori in patients with and without gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Data sources Four electronic databases, searched to November 2001, experts, pharmaceutical companies, and journals. Main outcome measure Odds ratio for prevalence of H pylori in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Results 20 studies were included. The pooled estimate of the odds ratio for prevalence of H pylori was 0.60 (95% confidence interval 0.47 to 0.78), indicating a lower prevalence in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Substantial heterogeneity was observed between studies. Location seemed to be an important factor, with a much lower prevalence of H pylori in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in studies from the Far East, despite a higher overall prevalence of infection than western Europe and North America. Year of study was not a source of heterogeneity. Conclusion The prevalence of H pylori infection was significantly lower in patients with than without gastro-oesophageal reflux, with geographical location being a strong contributor to the heterogeneity between studies. Patients from die Far East with reflux disease had a lower prevalence of H pylori infection than patients from western Europe and North America, despite a higher prevalence in the general population.
Author(s): Raghunath A, Hungin APS, Wooff D, Childs A
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: British Medical Journal
Year: 2003
Volume: 326
Issue: 7392
Pages: 737-739
Date deposited: 17/01/2011
ISSN (print): 0959-8138
ISSN (electronic): 1756-1833
Publisher: BMJ Group
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.326.7392.737
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.326.7392.737
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