Relation of Helicobacter pylori with dyspeptic symptoms among medical students in Lithuania

Abstract

Introduction. The relation of Helicobacter pylori induced chromic gastritis with dyspepsia remains unclear. Aims. To compare the frequency and intensity of different dyspeptic symptom in Helicobacter pylori-positive and Helicobacter pylori-negative persons. Methods. The students of Lithuanian university of health sciences were investigated serologically for the presence of antibodies against Helicobacter pylori with the SureScreen "HPSC - Helicobacter pylori test". The students anonymously filled-in the gastrointestinal symptoms rating scale questionnaires. The intensity of different dyspeptic symptoms (epigastric pain or discomfort, heartburn, regurgitation, hunger like-pain, nausea, borborygmus, epigastric fullness, belching, abdominal distention, constipation, diarrhea, urgency to defecate) was assessed during last week rating symptoms in 7 grade Likert scale. Results. We investigated 187 students (mean age - 22.4±0.7 years). Helicobacter pylori found in 57 (30.4%) students. The overall prevalence of symptoms was not different between Helicobacter pylori positive and Helicobacter pylori-negative students. Among students in whom pain or discomfort in epigastric region was present, the intensity of symptom was 2.3±1.1 in Helicobacter pylori-positive students and 1.7±0.9 in Helicobacter pylori-negatives, p<0.05. [...].