Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Chinese patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Abstract

Backgrounds and Aims: There is relatively little data on the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). This study aims at establishing the seroprevalence of and the factors associated with H. pylori infection in Chinese CARD patients. Methods: All CARD patients from a single dialysis centre were invited to participate in the study. Diagnosis of H. pylori infection was made serologically by the pylori DTect ELISA method. Dyspeptic symptoms were assessed by the Hong Kong Index of Dyspepsia (HKID) Questionnaire. Demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters were correlated with the H. pylori serology results. Results: One hundred and thirty-six Chinese CARD patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 61.8 ± 12.5 years with a male to female ratio of 1:1.4. The mean duration of CARD was 54 ± 42 months. Thirty-five patients (26%) have positive serology against H. pylori. Nineteen patients had a HKID score of >16. There was no association between H. pylori seropositivity and dyspeptic symptoms (P = 0.62). Patients who were seropositive for H. pylori were significantly older (64.9 ± 9.5 years vs 60.7 ± 13.2 years, P < 0.05) and had lower KT/V-values than patients who were seronegative for H. pylori (1.88 ± 0.3 vs 2.03 ± 0.3, P < 0.05). Patients with positive or negative H. pylori serological status did not differ in terms of demographic parameters (e.g. sex, duration of CAPD), clinical factors (e.g. bodyweight, body mass index, hepatitis status, use of H2 antagonists or proton pump inhibitors) and laboratory data (e.g. haemoglobin, serum urea, creatinine, albumin and parathyroid hormone levels). Conclusions: The seroprevalence of H. pylori infection among Chinese CAPD patients is 26%. Helicobacter pylori seropositivity is not associated with dyspepsia. Older age and lower KT/V-values appear to be associated with the development of H. pylori seropositivity in our dialysis population.