ASSOCIATION OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION WITH THE MOST COMMON AFFECTED AGE: A STATISTICAL STUDY

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that causes infections, and the most prevalent symptom is upper abdominal pain. However, the age group of people who are most susceptible to H.pylori infection is still a matter of debate. In this study, we aim to analyse and report the results of H. pylori tests for patients amongst the Iraqi population. The descriptive and retrospective studies involve 224 Iraqi patients of both genders, aged between 18-67 years who gave oral consent and displayed upper abdominal pain. All patients were interviewed and clinically examined before being tested with a qualitative serological test and stool examination. The population of the study consisted of 114 males and 125 females with mean age 25 and 26 years, respectively. The results showed that there were no negative serum tests for both genders: the peak age of infection was between 30-39 years and 50 patients showed positive for both tests. Results showed that the middle-aged population is significantly the more affected group according to serological tests which were positive in all tested patients. Moreover, the study also showed that the antigen detection of H. pylori by IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies using the Rapid Test strips is the most trustable biomarker and is recommended as the initial test for any work involving H. pylori