Helicobacter pylori infection and risk factors in the development of gastroduodenal diseases in a population from the central-west region of Brazil

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative bacterium associated with the development of severe pathologies such as gastric adenocarcinoma. Approximately 50% of the world population is infected by this microorganism. Infection is associated with socioeconomic, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Therefore, the present study had the goal of evaluating the risk factors and gastric pathologies associated with H. pylori infection. A total of 117 questionnaires were used, which included sociodemographic, economic, symptomatology and patient lifestyle factors submitted to upper digestive endoscopy. The diagnosis was done based on histopathological and molecular. The prevalence of infection was 69.2%, being 70.4% among adults and 79% females. No statistical difference was observed in educational, socioeconomic and childhood conditions. The alcohol consumption habit showed significance for the infection (p = 0.049). The most frequent symptomatology was belching (p = 0.023). Among the gastric pathologies, gastritis was the most frequent clinical outcome. The knowledge of the risk factors for bacterial infection is extremely relevant to provide subsidies for the implementation of public policies aimed at the prevention and eradication of the microorganism.