[Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and gastritis in southern Germany. Results of a representative cross-sectional study].

The recent discussions about the relationship between helicobacter-pylori-infection, gastritis and the occurrence of stomach cancer caused us to analyse blood sera of 543 participants randomly selected from the general population in the age of 25 to 34 and of 55 to 64 years from Mosbach (Neckar-Odenwald-Kreis), the county of Deggendorf (Lower-Bavaria) and Augsburg (Upper-Bavaria) regarding IgG-antibodies against helicobacter pylori and the concentrations of the pepsinogens A and C. The latter were used as markers for the presence of chronic gastritis without atrophy and with severe atrophy. The prevalence of helicobacter pylori infection and of forms of gastritis showed no particular differences regarding region or gender. Notable differences in the prevalences were observed with respect to the two age strata. The helicobacter pylori prevalence of the regions being studied ranged for males from 13% to 75% and for females from 22% to 76%. The prevalences of chronic gastritis without atrophy in the investigated areas, derived from the pepsinogen titers, were found to be for males between 24% and 70% and for females between 28% and 61%. Chronic gastritis with severe atrophy appeared mainly in the age group of 55 to 64 years, ranging from 2% to 11% in males and 4% to 10% in females, depending upon region. The helicobacter pylori prevalence and the prevalence of chronic gastritis without atrophy were found to be highly correlated. Chronic gastritis with severe atrophy was also found to be associated with helicobacter pylori prevalence. However, this association did not reach statistical significance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)