Helicobacter pylori Infection and Gastroduodenal Lesions: Prevalence and Associated Factors in Cote d’Ivoire

Abstract

Objective: The objective is to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and highlight the determinants of the infection as well as the gastric histopathological lesions associated with this infection. Methods: This is a retrospective study carried out from August 01, 2015 to December 31, 2020 in Bouaké. It included all patients with gastric and/or duodenal lesion on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in whom gastric biopsies and histopathology results are available. Results: The study involved 510 patients (301 men and 209 women). The prevalence of Hp was 66.47% (339/510 patients). The presence of Hp was not significantly related to age and gender. Epigastralgia was the most common indication with no significant difference between the positive and negative Hp groups (65.37% vs 34.63%, p = 0.35). A significant difference was only observed for duodenal ulcers (84.31% Hp+ vs 15.69% Hp-, p = 0.004). Regarding histological lesions: Chronic and active gastritis was strongly related to the presence of Hp (p Hp. These precursor lesions of gastric cancer (metaplasia and atrophy) were, however, significantly related to chronic gastric disease with p = 0.02 and p Conclusion: The prevalence of Hp is high in Bouaké. Our study confirms the link between Hp infection and chronic and active gastritis.