Abstract

Background:The dyspeptic symptoms are common in patients with chronic liver diseases and the endoscopy of the upper part of digestive tract reveal Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori)infection in the majority of them.The influence of social status on the frequency of H.pylori infection in gastric mucosa is well documented. The aim was to evaluate the influence of social conditions on the frequency of H.pylori infection in patients with chronic liver diseases.Material/Methods:In 108 patients (49 women,59 men), aged 18 –67 years (mean 41)with chronic liver diseases (HCV infection –51%,HBV infection –13%,autoimmune liver disease –9%,toxic liver damage –13%,hepatic cirrhosis –5%, Wilson ’s disease – 2%,poliethiological liver damage –5%of cases)the endoscopy of the upper part of digestive tract with rapid urease test (CLO test)and detection test of IgG anti H. pylori antibody in the blood serum were conducted. The diagnosis of liver disease was based on the liver biopsy, biochemical and serological tests.To asses their social situation the patients were asked to fill in the anonymous questionnaire that considered their social and economical status, place of living, ccommodation conditions, monthly income employment, education, family and medical history.Results:The majority of analyzed patients represented good economical and social status,47%lived in large cities,26%in median and 14%in small towns,13%in country villages.Only 6%of patients declared a low standard of living.The mean patient possessed a flat of 66 m 2 with 3 rooms and 500-1000 PLN income per capita in the family.The inflammation in gastric mucosa was observed in 95/108 patients (88%).H.pylori infection was diagnosed on endoscopy in 97/108 patients (90%).The examination of the IgG anti H.pylori test level was positive in 69/108 patients (64%)and uncertain in 9 cases (8%). There was no correlation between the frequency of H.pylori infection and etiology of liver disease.We didn ’t observe any significant relation between social and economical conditions and frequency of H.pylori infection neither in gastroscopy nor CLO test.We found that patients with positive anti H.pylori IgG tests were significantly older (p

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