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- Title
Helicobacter pylori infection in hospital workers over a 5-year period: correlation with demographic and clinical parameters.
- Authors
Triantafillidis, John K.; Gikas, Aristofanis; Hyphantis, Thomas; Cheracakis, Petros; Rokkas, Theodore; Konstantellou, Evangelia; Antoniou, Aikaterini; Mallas, Helias; Androulakis, George
- Abstract
Background. We aimed to determine whether any of various groups of medical and nonmedical staff in a large acute care hospital were at increased risk of acquiring Helicobacter pylori infection over a 5-year period, and we also aimed to identify risk factors or symptoms related to H. pylori positivity and seroconversion. Methods. A total number of 437 subjects, aged 36.8 ± 7.7 years (range, 23-60 years)—employees of our hospital—were tested by immunoassay for serum IgG antibodies against H. pylori. Subjects were assigned to four main groups: (I) nursing staff (n = 249; aged 34.7 ± 7 years); (II) administrative and technical staff (n = 127; aged 39.2 ± 8.1 years); (III) medical staff (n = 31; aged 42.4 ± 4.9 years); and (IV) paramedical staff (blood donor department) (n = 30; aged 37.6 ± 8.5 years). Differences in age and educational level between these four groups were statistically highly significant (P < 0.0001). Each subject completed a questionnaire containing several clinical and demographic parameters. The same cohort of individuals was tested 5 years later. Results. The overall seroprevalence of H. pylori infection was 45.5%, and in each group (I, II, III, and IV) being 48.6%, 44.1%, 41.9%, and 30% respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk of infection by H. pylori was significantly higher in group I compared with group II (odds ratio [OR], 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-3.52; P = 0.037). The H. pylori positivity increased with age: 40.6% for those aged 23-40 years and 57.5% for those aged 41-60 years (P = 0.001). The level of education was inversely associated with H. pylori infection (P = 0.001). During the 5-year observation, 59 of 238 (24.8%) subjects initially negative for H. pylori infection became positive, thus giving an annual seroconversion rate of 4.95%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the seroconversion rate was significantly higher in group I compared...
- Subjects
HELICOBACTER pylori infections; HOSPITAL personnel; DEMOGRAPHY
- Publication
Journal of Gastroenterology, 2002, Vol 37, Issue 12, p1005
- ISSN
0944-1174
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s005350200170