Prevalence of and risk factors for Helicobacter pylori infection in the western part of Germany.

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Germany and to identify risk factors associated with H. pylori seroconversion.

METHODS

Two hundred and sixty blood donors (169 men, 91 women; median age 29 years, range 18-61 years, 92% with German parents, all white) were studied. None had previously been treated for H. pylori infection. Their serum samples were analysed for H. pylori immunoglobulin (lg) G antibodies with a validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All subjects completed a complex questionnaire under supervision. Special attention was paid to their present and childhood (at the age of 8 years) living conditions. To identify independent risk factors for seropositivity, a multivariate, stepwise forward, unconditional, logistic regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS

In total, 102 participants (39.2%) were seropositive for H. pylori. Seroprevalence increased significantly with age (21.1% aged 21 or younger compared with 60.0% over 51 years of age). According to the multivariate analysis of the unclassified data [odds ratio (95% confidence interval)], variables such as age [1.04 (1.01-1.07) per year], persons per room in household in childhood [2.14 (1.07-4.26)] and number of children (< 8 years) in household at present [1.79 (1.01-3.16) per child] were significantly and independently associated with H. pylori seroprevalence.

CONCLUSION

Crowded living conditions in childhood affect current H. pylori status. In addition, the number of children in the present household increases the risk of infection for the adult family members. This suggests that children are an additional source of infection, probably due to close and frequent physical contact outside the immediate family.