Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Latin America and the Caribbean populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in Latin Americaand the Caribbean (LAC), through systematic review and meta-analysis by age groups and gender.

METHODS

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the population-based observational epidemiological studies carried out in LAC, focused on the prevalence of H. pylori and published until March, 2018. The databases utilized in the search were MEDLINE, SCIELO andPUBMED. The prevalence described in the meta-analysis and 95% confidence intervals were estimated by the random effects model, and weighted by the size of the study.

RESULTS

The 22 selected studies were carried out in 14 countries of LAC, and included 24,178 individuals. The studies were conducted between 1987 and 2012, and all were representative of at least one city. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 57.57% (CI95%:50.43;64.72) for all ages; in children and adolescents the prevalence was 48.36% (CI95%:38.03;58.70) and in adults 69.26%(CI95%:64.54;76.99). No differences were observed regarding sex.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of H. pylori infection in LAC is high for all age groups. These data reinforce the necessity of actions towards the prevention and treatment of H. pylori infection for all age groups. Treating H pylori infection in young ages probably will reduce gastric cancer incidence in the future.