Trends in prevalence of acid-related disorders in children in Lithuania

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of H. pylori is significantly declining in Western Europe, with concomitant diminishing of prevalence of peptic ulcer disease. Prevalence of GERD is increasing in Western Society. There are only limited data on the changes in prevalence of acid-related disorders in children in East and Central European countries during the last decade. Aims and Methods: The aims of current study were: 1) to analyse retrospectively the trends in prevalence of erosive esophagitis and peptic ulcer disease in Lithuania during period 1996–2008; 2) to compare changes of H. pylori prevalence in children during the same period. We retrospectively analyzed all endoscopy examination records (5348 children endoscopies) in Kaunas medical university hospital during the period of 1996 - 2008. H. pylori prevalence were compared in 2 cohorts of consecutive children with dyspepsia, examined in 1997–1998 (n = 220) and in 2007–2008 (n = 136) in the same tertiary hospital. H. pylori infection was detected by rapid urease test, histology and serology. Results: The prevalence of peptic ulcer among children who underwent endoscopy in 1996 was 8. 3%, in 1997 - 7.9%, and gradually decreased to 5.0% in 2007, and to 4.9% in 2008. The prevalence of erosive esophagitis gradually increased to from 0.6% (1996 and 1997) to 8.1% and 8.3% (2007 and 2008). H. pylori infection prevalence among dyspeptic children in Lithuania decreased from 76% (1997–1999) to 56% (2007– 2008, p < 0.001). Conclusion: During recent 12-years period in children the prevalence of peptic ulcer disease decreased 1. 7 times and the prevalence of erosive esophagitis increased 13 times in Lithuania.