Helicobacter pylori infection a risk for upper gastrointestinal diseases among patients in North Central Nigeria

Background: Since the discovery of the Upper Gastrointestinal (UGI) fiber optic endoscope machine in 1868 and following the discovery of Helicobacter pylori (H- Pylori) infection and its association with most gastroduodenal diseases in 1983 by Robin Warren and Barry Marshal, Our knowledge of diagnosis and treatment of most UGI diseases has significantly improved. Aim: The study aimed to establish the presence of H. pylori as a risk factor for common UGI disease as confirmed by UGI endoscopy and the pattern of findings in UGI endoscopy. Methodology: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study that was carried out at the Endoscopy Unit of Jos University Teaching Hospital. A total of 260 patients referred for UGI endoscopy from August 2013 to April 2014 were recruited and investigated for H. pylori from the biopsy specimens taken during UGI endoscopy. The diagnosis of H. pylori was made by histology. Result: A total of 260 patients were studied, 159 (61.2%) males and 101 (38.8%) females. H. pylori were present in 169 (65%) and absent in 91 (35%). More females had H. pylori compared to males (67.3% and 63.5%). The common endoscopic findings were present in the stomach. Gastritis 57 (21.9%) was the most common abnormality seen in the stomach, while gastroesophageal reflux disease was the most commonly seen in the esophagus and duodenal ulcer in the duodenum. Conclusion: There is a positive correlation between H. pylori infection with endoscopic abnormalities seen among patients.