ISSN:
1523-5378
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
The mode of transmission of Helicobacter pylori is unclear, but it has been shown that gastroenterologists are at a greater risk of acquiring the infection when performing endoscopy. The current study was designed to assess the risk H. pylori infection in respiratory physicians performing bronchoscopy compared to an at-risk group of gastroenterologists. We were interested in identifying whether the oral cavity is important in the transmission of H. pylori.〈section xml:id="abs1-2"〉〈title type="main"〉Materials and Methods.Respiratory physicians and gastroenterologists in southern England and Wales were invited to participate in the study. Medical, personal, and professional details were recorded, and H. pylori status was established using a carbon 13 urea breath test.〈section xml:id="abs1-3"〉〈title type="main"〉Results.The study included 30 gastroenterologists and 30 respiratory physicians. The groups were similar for age (mean age, 46.2 years [SD 8.7] and 43.9 years [SD 8.5], respectively), number of years in practice (mean, 16.1 [6.8] and 13.2 [5.5], respectively), amount of Third-World travel, and glove and drug use (antacids, H2 antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, promotility agents, and bismuth). The prevalence of upper gastrointestinal symptoms (indigestion, heartburn, abdominal pain) and history of previous peptic ulcer or hiatus hernia were similar for both groups. Fifteen of thirty gastroenterologists and three of thirty respiratory physicians had positive breath tests (χ square, p 〈 .001, 1 df ). There was no relation between age and H. pylori status. Within the group of gastroenterologists, performance of endoscopy without gloves for longer than 7 years was associated with an increased prevalence of infection (〉7 years, 11 of 15 breath-test-positive; 〈7 years, 4 of 15 breath-test-positive [χ square, p = .01, 1 df ]).〈section xml:id="abs1-4"〉〈title type="main"〉Conclusions.Gastroenterologists in this study appeared to be at risk of infection, whereas respiratory physicians are not. Gastroenterologists who wear gloves during endoscopy appear to be at lower risk of H. pylori infection.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-5378.1997.tb00078.x
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