The use of Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori in Lagos, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES

This study was carried out to screen the use of Helicobacter pylori stool antigen (HpSA) tests for diagnosis and monitoring of H pylori in Nigeria.

METHODS

Seven hundred and forty participants were enrolled after informed consent was obtained, while 83 came back for a post-eradication test. The stool samples were taken from the patients at endoscopy and tested for HpSA.

RESULTS

The proportion of patients that were positive at the pretest, 520 (70.3%) was significantly higher (Fisher's exact p = 0.001) than those positive at the post-test, 44 (53%). There was a significant difference (F = 4.106, p = 0.043) between the mean age of those that came for the pretest (40.0 +/- 14.5 years) and those that came for the post-test, 43.6 +/- 11.6 years. More males than females had the tendency to come back for a post-eradication test.

CONCLUSION

Although potential bias was introduced during this study, HpSA using monoclonal antibody could still be used for diagnosis and monitoring of H pylori in Nigeria.