Evaluation of the Relationship Between Reflux Esophagitis and Helicobacter Pylori Stomach Infection in Patients Referring to Zahedan Hospitals, Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Iran

Abstract

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is a common disorder of the digestive tract. Exposure of the oesophageal mucosa to gastric acid can lead to mucosal damage as in oesophagitis. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach and reflux oesophagitis in patients, referring to the endoscopy units of hospitals in Zahedan between 2015 and 2019. In this cross-sectional study, all patients (under 15, 15-25, 25-35, 35-45 and 45 years and older) who referred to the Endoscopy units of two randomly selected hospitals in Zahedan during 2015-2019, were studied. H. pylori infection was diagnosed from pathological specimens. Information on all patients, including age, sex, presence of oesophagitis and its grade, and H. pylori infection was recorded on questionnaires and their relationships with oesophagitis and its grade as well as H. pylori infection were analyzed statistically. Tables and charts were used to illustrate the data. T-tests and Chi-squared tests were used to investigate the relationships between variables. The results showed that the frequency of oesophagitis in our patients was 52.8%, with the highest frequency being obtained for grade B oesophagitis (48%). In this study, the prevalence of H. pylori infection was 57.5%. This rate was 55.4% in patients with oesophagitis, with a statistically significant difference from the group without oesophagitis. There was a significant relationship between grade A oesophagitis and H. pylori infection. In conclusion, we were able to demonstrate a significant relationship between H. pylori infection and oesophagitis in affected patients.